RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the venous structure of regularand myomatous human uteri, using corrosion casting and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Special attention was paid to the endometrium and the socalled 'venous lakes'. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Uteri collected at autopsy (n = 67) were injected with Mercox CL-2R resin, which penetrated the capillary bed and filled both arteriesand veins. After the polymerisation of the resin, the corrosion was performed. The obtained vascular casts, visualising all vessels including capillaries, were examinedusing scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: Amongst the 67 uteri prepared for the corrosion casting, only 22 (15 containing leiomyomata) yielded casts of acceptable quality for SEM assessment. Veins of the endometrium and the myometrium were present in the form of a chaotic network, which did not run parallel to the arterialsystem, but was rather independent. Microscopic venous dilations ('venouslakes') were observed both within the functional layer of the endometrium and the myometrium. They were digit-like in shape and could be compared to venous sinuses. They drained the subendothelial capillary plexus and were supplied by numerous capillaries and venules. Their size ranged from 270 to 420 µm. Those dilatations were absent in the outer myometrium and the perimetrium, as well as the uterine cervix. We have not observed any arteriovenous anastomoses. CONCLUSIONS: The myomatous uteri tend to have larger venous lakes than the normal uteri. The number and size of venous lakes increases with menstrual cycle progression. Further data on morphology and changes in venous lakesusing scanning electronic microscopy should be acquired.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to visualise and describe the vasculature of the human uterine cervix. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The material for this study was obtained from women (age between 20 to 45 years) during autopsy. The material was collected not later than 24 h post-mortem. This study was performed using uteri from cadavers of menstruating nulliparas (33 uteri) and menstruating multiparas (27 uteri). Collected uteri were perfused via the afferent vessels with Mercox resin (for corrosion-casting and SEM assessment) or acrylic paint solution (light microscopy assessment). The research protocol was approved by the Jagiellonian University Ethics Committee (registry KBET/121/8/2007). RESULTS: In all cases bilateral cervical branches (1-4), originating from the uterine artery, were found. Both in the vaginal and supravaginal parts of the cervix, four distinct vascular zones were found. In the pericanalar zone ran small veins, responsible for draining the mucosal capillaries. Both in the muscular layer, as well as in the pericanalar zone, arterioles, and venules passed close to each other, often adjoining. CONCLUSIONS: This study does not confirm the existence of a single cervicovaginal artery, but shows that the vascular supply of the cervix comes from several vessels. It also introduces the idea of two systems, responsible for draining blood from the mucosal capillaries. Neither assessment in light microscopy nor in SEM revealed any differences between multiparas and nulliparas, regarding the vascular architecture of the cervix.
