450 
THOMPSON YATES LABORATORIES REPORT 
Aortic semi-lunar valves — relatively incompetent as valves themselves are per- 
fectly normal, with no thickening whatsoever. ' Marked universal atheroma of 
ascending arch of aorta, which is apparently a mere thickening of the sub- 
endothelial layers of the artery with no tendency to calcification or breaking down 
of the endothelium with consequent formation of atheromatous ulcers. At the 
junction of the ascending arch with transverse portion of the arch, there is a small 
saccular aneurism the size of a hazel nut, which is connected with the aorta by a 
wide mouth. The sac contains some firm decolourized laminated clot. The left 
carotid arises just within the orifice of the main aneurism sac, the first portion of 
vessel being flattened over the sac. 
The left subclavian arises from the arch just beyond the aneurism by an 
abnormally wide orifice. The aorta throughout is atheromatous. On posterior aspect, 
opposite sixth, seventh, and eighth vertebrae is an elongated sac communicating 
with main vessel by a small opening, the dorsal aspect of sac being formed by the 
vertebrae, which are eroded. The sac contains a considerable quantity of laminated clot. 
On the anterior aspect of the thoracic vertebrae at the level of the fifth vertebra 
is a small but definite aneurism, size of large pea ; on same aspect, opposite seventh 
vertebra, there is a slightly larger swelling. In fact, the aorta in this situation shews 
what one might call a crop of young aneurisms. The anterior wall of the abdominal 
aorta for an inch above and two-and-a-half inches below the origin of the coeliac axis 
presents an aneurismal dilatation the size of a hen's egg. The sac is full of firm 
laminated decolourized clot, which extends into the right renal artery for half an 
inch, the remaining portion of renal artery and branches are patent, but smaller than 
corresponding vessels on the left side. The coeliac axis arising from the anterior 
aspect of the sac presents an aneurismal dilation the size of a pigeon's egg from 
the extreme lower end of which arise its branches. The branches of the coeliac 
axis show no trace of aneurismal swelling-. 
From the lower and anterior aspect of sac the superior mesenteric artery arises. 
In the first one-and-three-quarter inch it shews a pyriform dilatation, one-half inch 
below this dilatation and on its left border there is a small ovoid swelling communi- 
cating with the lumen of the vessel by a wide opening. Both sacs contain a large 
quantity of firm decolourized clot. 
On the posterior aspect of the aortic aneurism on its left side there is a recent 
aneurismal swelling one-and-a-half inch in diameter, which is eroding the first lumbar 
vertebra, this sac contains ordinary post-mortem clot, and there are two lateral dilatations 
(right) of main aneurism which contains firm laminated clot. 
The remaining portion of abdominal aorta shews a few atheromatous patches, 
but the wall of the vessel is singularly healthy, the endothelial coat seeming to be intact 
everywhere. The remaining portions of common iliac arteries and aorta are practically 
normal. Peripheral arteries slightly thickened. 
