The structure of the cusps of valves in the human foetal great saphenous vein
Czarniawska-Grzesińska, M.łg.; Bruska, M.łg.
Folia Morphologica 62(3): 275-276
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 0015-5659 PMID: 14507065 Document Number: 560788
The study was performed on 110 great saphenous veins in human foetuses of both sexes aged 9 to 37 weeks. The earliest well-shaped valves were observed in foetuses aged 13 weeks. In these foetuses the number of valves varies from 2 to 7. Consecutive microscopic sections revealed that the developing valves at their origin present thickening of the endothelium which is continuous into the cusps of the valves. The bicuspid cusps are crescent-shaped and both surfaces are lined by endothelium.