In vivo measurement of the elasticity and diameter of the femoral artery.

The diameter and the elastic properties of the femoral artery were investigated by means of ultrasound M-mode. The nature of individual variations was determined in 27 medical students at the age of 21-23 years. A significant positive correlation was found between height and increasing arterial cross sectional area. The influence of age upon arterial luminal size and elasticity was estimated in a group of 43 persons with a wide range of age. There was a significant rise in stiffness proportional to age, but none in luminal size.