Lines of Zahn
Encyclopedia
Lines of Zahn are a characteristic of thrombi
that appear when formed in the heart
or aorta
. They have visible and microscopic laminations produced by alternating pale layers of platelets mixed with fibrin and darker layer containing red blood cell
s. Their presence implies thrombosis at a site of rapid blood flow that happened before death. In veins or smaller arteries, where flow is not as constant, they are less apparent.
They are named after German pathologist Friedrich Wilhelm Zahn
(1845-1904).
Thrombus
A thrombus , or blood clot, is the final product of the blood coagulation step in hemostasis. It is achieved via the aggregation of platelets that form a platelet plug, and the activation of the humoral coagulation system...
that appear when formed in the heart
Heart
The heart is a myogenic muscular organ found in all animals with a circulatory system , that is responsible for pumping blood throughout the blood vessels by repeated, rhythmic contractions...
or aorta
Aorta
The aorta is the largest artery in the body, originating from the left ventricle of the heart and extending down to the abdomen, where it branches off into two smaller arteries...
. They have visible and microscopic laminations produced by alternating pale layers of platelets mixed with fibrin and darker layer containing red blood cell
Red blood cell
Red blood cells are the most common type of blood cell and the vertebrate organism's principal means of delivering oxygen to the body tissues via the blood flow through the circulatory system...
s. Their presence implies thrombosis at a site of rapid blood flow that happened before death. In veins or smaller arteries, where flow is not as constant, they are less apparent.
They are named after German pathologist Friedrich Wilhelm Zahn
Friedrich Wilhelm Zahn
Friedrich Wilhelm Zahn was a German pathologist. His eponyms include Zahn infarct and Lines of Zahn.-References:...
(1845-1904).