The elastic fibre system in the veins of the human lower oesophagus.

The elastic, elaunin and oxytalan fibres in the tunica mucosa and tela submucosa of veins of the human lower oesophagus were studied in 30 necropsy and biopsy specimens using appropriate histological and ultrastructural methodologies. Elaunin fibres predominate in the veins endowed with muscle cells. Scattered oxytalan and elastic fibres were also observed, the latter being more numerous at the vein periphery. No noteworthy fibre arrangement was encountered in veins lacking muscle cells. Those fibres disposed around the veins were considered to belong to the connective tissue of the tunica mucosa and tela submucosa in which they are embedded. The veins of the lower oesophagus seem to be of low elasticity, which may be related to a blockage mechanism described for the gastro-oesophageal blood stream in cases of portal hypertension.