Detailed estimation of axial residual strains in the human aorta is necessary when performing biomechanical analyses of physiologic functions and pathologic conditions. We recently published such data for autopsied aortas and the present aim was to measure axial residual stretches at different wall depths, along with layer thicknesses on images borrowed from that work. Residual stretches at the external surface and medial-adventitial interface increased along the aorta’s ascending course, decreased along its descending course, and increased from the diaphragm toward the iliac arteries. Residual stretches at the intimal-medial interface and internal surface decreased down the distal one-third of the aorta. A continuous decrease in medial thickness was witnessed along the vessel, whereas intimal and adventitial thickness remained fairly stable. At some axial locations, smaller were the axial residual stretches of the outer than those of the other quadrants, with minor differences in layer-specific thicknesses among quadrants. Adventitial thickness did not vary with age, while the intima and media thickened considerably with different time-courses. The observed intimal thickening solely between young (≤40 yr) and middle-aged subjects (40–60 yr) is consistent with the increased circumferential residual stretches previously established by our group between those subject groups and the minimal further increase in old subjects (≥60 yr). The observed medial thickening between middle-aged and old subjects was accompanied by decreased axial residual stretches that were not seen between young and middle-aged subjects. These observations suggest distinct roles for the intima and media in determining circumferential and axial residual stretches that merit further attention.

对生理功能和病理状况进行生物力学分析时，有必要详细估算人主动脉中的轴向残余应变。我们最近发布了用于解剖后的主动脉的此类数据，目前的目的是测量在不同壁深度处的轴向残余拉伸以及从该工作中借来的图像上的层厚度。沿主动脉的上升过程，外表面和内侧－外膜交界处的残余伸展程度增加，沿其下降过程减少，并从the肌向toward动脉增加。内膜-内膜界面和内表面的残余拉伸在远端三分之一的主动脉中减少。沿血管的内侧厚度持续减小，而内膜和外膜厚度保持相当稳定。在某些轴向位置处，外部的轴向残余拉伸小于其他象限的轴向残余拉伸，并且各象限之间的层比厚度差异很小。外膜厚度不随年龄而变化，而内膜和中膜在不同时程下明显增厚。仅在年轻（≤40岁）和中年受试者（40-60岁）之间观察到的内膜增厚与我们小组先前在这些受试者组之间建立的周向残余拉伸增加和老年受试者的最小进一步增加相一致（≥ 60年）。在中老年受试者之间观察到的内侧增厚伴随着轴向残余拉伸的减小，而在青年受试者和中老年受试者之间没有看到。