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O interesse pela criação de moluscos, em particular escargots, vem sendo divulgado por criadores na expectativa de colaborar com o desenvolvimento da helicicultura brasileira. Assim, realizamos estudos macro e microscópicos da anatomia do sistema reprodutor, estabelecendo parâmetros morfológicos e morfométricos comparativos entre a Achatina fulica e a Achatina monochromatica. Utilizamos trinta exemplares, sendo quinze Achatina fulica e quinze Achatina monochromatica. Dez exemplares de cada espécie foram destinados ao estudo macroscópico, enquanto que os outros cinco destinaram-se ao estudo histológico. Os espécimes foram sacrificados por congelamento, em freezer a (-2ºC), após processo seletivo e medidas morfométricas da concha e pesagem do animal. A coleta do sistema reprodutor se fez após a retirada da concha, por quebra da mesma e dissecação do animal. Retirado o sistema reprodutor, procederam-se as medidas de cada segmento e as preparações histológicas. Na análise estatística, verificamos que apesar desses animais terem sido mantidos nas mesmas condições ambientais e alimentares e submetidos ao mesmo tipo de seleção, houve variação no desenvolvimento e na biometria dos seus órgãos reprodutores. Os aspectos morfológicos do sistema reprodutor das duas espécies diferem, macroscopicamente, em seus vários segmentos, porém, a disposição e a localização dos seus segmentos são idênticas. Quanto à descrição microscópica, não foram observadas diferenças em seus segmentos, porém, no ovotestis da Achatina fulica há maior quantidade de células com pigmento no epitélio germinativo do que na Achatina monochromatica. / The interest for the creation of mollusks, specifically escargots, has been introduced by the creators with the expectation to collaborate with the development of the Brazilian snails breeding. Therefore, there were accomplished macro and microscopic studies of the reproductive system anatomy, establishing a comparison of morphologic and morphometric parameters between Achatina fulica and Achatina monochromatica. Thirty samples, being fifteen Achatina fulica and fifteen Achatina monochromatica, were used. Ten samples of each species were destined for macroscopic studies, while five to the histological study. The specimens were sacrificed by freezing in a freezer (-2ºC), after a selective process and shell morphometric measures and the weighting of the animal. The retreat of the reproductive system was made after breaking the shell to expose the escargot and the animal dissection. After the retreat of the reproductive system, measures of each segment and histological preparations were made. In the statistical analysis, in spite of the animals have been maintained in the same environmental and alimentary conditions, and submitted to the same selection type, it was observed that there was a variation in the development and the biometry of the reproductive organs. Reproductive system morphologic aspects of both species differ macroscopically, in their several segments, however the disposition and the location of their segments are identical. As for the microscopic description, differences in their segments were not observed, however in the Achatina fulica ovotestis there is a larger amount of pigmented cells in the twinning epithelium than in Achatina monochromatica.

O interesse pela criação de moluscos, em particular escargots, vem sendo divulgado por criadores na expectativa de colaborar com o desenvolvimento da helicicultura brasileira. Assim, realizamos estudos macro e microscópicos da anatomia do sistema reprodutor, estabelecendo parâmetros morfológicos e morfométricos comparativos entre a Achatina fulica e a Achatina monochromatica. Utilizamos trinta exemplares, sendo quinze Achatina fulica e quinze Achatina monochromatica. Dez exemplares de cada espécie foram destinados ao estudo macroscópico, enquanto que os outros cinco destinaram-se ao estudo histológico. Os espécimes foram sacrificados por congelamento, em freezer a (-2ºC), após processo seletivo e medidas morfométricas da concha e pesagem do animal. A coleta do sistema reprodutor se fez após a retirada da concha, por quebra da mesma e dissecação do animal. Retirado o sistema reprodutor, procederam-se as medidas de cada segmento e as preparações histológicas. Na análise estatística, verificamos que apesar desses animais terem sido mantidos nas mesmas condições ambientais e alimentares e submetidos ao mesmo tipo de seleção, houve variação no desenvolvimento e na biometria dos seus órgãos reprodutores. Os aspectos morfológicos do sistema reprodutor das duas espécies diferem, macroscopicamente, em seus vários segmentos, porém, a disposição e a localização dos seus segmentos são idênticas. Quanto à descrição microscópica, não foram observadas diferenças em seus segmentos, porém, no ovotestis da Achatina fulica há maior quantidade de células com pigmento no epitélio germinativo do que na Achatina monochromatica. / The interest for the creation of mollusks, specifically escargots, has been introduced by the creators with the expectation to collaborate with the development of the Brazilian snails breeding. Therefore, there were accomplished macro and microscopic studies of the reproductive system anatomy, establishing a comparison of morphologic and morphometric parameters between Achatina fulica and Achatina monochromatica. Thirty samples, being fifteen Achatina fulica and fifteen Achatina monochromatica, were used. Ten samples of each species were destined for macroscopic studies, while five to the histological study. The specimens were sacrificed by freezing in a freezer (-2ºC), after a selective process and shell morphometric measures and the weighting of the animal. The retreat of the reproductive system was made after breaking the shell to expose the escargot and the animal dissection. After the retreat of the reproductive system, measures of each segment and histological preparations were made. In the statistical analysis, in spite of the animals have been maintained in the same environmental and alimentary conditions, and submitted to the same selection type, it was observed that there was a variation in the development and the biometry of the reproductive organs. Reproductive system morphologic aspects of both species differ macroscopically, in their several segments, however the disposition and the location of their segments are identical. As for the microscopic description, differences in their segments were not observed, however in the Achatina fulica ovotestis there is a larger amount of pigmented cells in the twinning epithelium than in Achatina monochromatica.

O círculo arterial do cérebro (CAC) é objeto de estudo desde os princípios da anatomia moderna e ao longo dos séculos documentado e classificado de várias maneiras. Recentemente o desenvolvimento dos métodos diagnósticos por imagem e de ultraestrutura abriram um novo leque nas possibilidades de investigação. Neste trabalho o CAC foi avaliado por meio de exames por angiotomografia computadorizada, por angiorressonância magnética, fotografias de peças anatômicas, histologia, microscopia eletrônica por varredura e por transmissão. Verificou-se na amostra que o CAC possui tendência a simetria. Os achados foram similares na comparação entre os métodos de diagnóstico por imagem, porém não demonstraram todos os achados dos espécimes anatômicos. A metodologia utilizada permitiu verificar que as camadas das paredes das diferentes artérias podem explicar parcialmente as diferenças nos achados entre os métodos de imagem e as peças anatômicas. Os dados aqui apresentados revestem-se de grande importância clínica e cirúrgica uma vez que o CAC é um elemento chave na circulação cerebral. / The Willis Polygon (WP) has been studied since the beginning of modern anatomy and documented and classified over the centuries in various ways. Recently the development of diagnostic imaging methods and ultra structure opened a new range of possibilities in the investigation. In this work the WP was assessed by computer tomography angiography examinations by magnetic resonance angiography, photographs of anatomical specimens, histology, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. It was found that the sample has a tendency to the WP symmetry. The findings were similar when comparing the methods of diagnostic imaging, but did not show all findings of anatomical specimens. The methodology has shown that the different layers of the walls of arteries may partly explain the differences in findings between imaging and anatomical parts. The data presented here are of great clinical and surgical importance, once the WP is a key element in the cerebral circulation.

This study aims to revise the genus Salvia L. in East and Southeast Anatolia in Turkey on the basis of macromorphological, anatomical, palynological, mericarp micro-morphological, ecological and numerical analysis. Towards achieving this goal, about 2500 specimens of Salvia were collected and examined during extensive field studies between July 2005 and June 2009. The materials collected by other researchers either from Turkey or abroad were also investigated. The results of the taxonomic revision show that the study area includes 59 taxa, 24 (40.7%) of which are endemic and the remaining 35 (59.3%) are non-endemic. Salvia siiirtica is described as new to science. S. macrosiphon is described as a new record for Turkey and S. cerino-pruinosa and S. pseudeuphratica are re-evaluated as valid species as well as S. ballsiana is rediscovered. Macromorphological characters that were considered to have taxonomically diagnostic value are investigated and their possible variations are discussed. Habit, stem, leaf, inflorescence, bract, calyx, corolla and stamen properties are compared at infrageneric and species level. The first comprehensive evaluation of the systematic value of anatomy, palynology and mericarp micromorphology of Salvia are presented. Some characters, such as row numbers of ray cells in the root, type of the leaf blade structure, shape of cross section of the petiole, shape and number of median vascular bundles, pollen size, size of mericarps and diameter of abscission scars, are useful for infrageneric delimitation. Variation in some anatomical characters, such as number of cell layers of collenchyma and cortex, number of cell layers of palisade parenchyma, size of petiole, number of lateral vascular bundles, exine ornamentation type of pollen, presence of large lumina in the middle of the primary lumen, the muri thickness, mericarp shape, mericarp length/width ratio and surface ornamentation type, can be used for separating species within the sections. Based on the updated geographical and ecological distribution, conservation status of the taxa is reassessed at regional, national and global levels. At the regional scale, the distribution is CR for 6 taxa EN for 9 taxa, VU for 5 taxa, NT for 10 taxa and LC for 29 taxa. At the national scale, the distribution is CR for 5 taxa, EN for 5 taxa, VU for 7 taxa, NT for 10 taxa and LC for 32 taxa. At the global scale, the distribution is CR for 5 taxa, EN for 3 taxa, VU for 6 taxa, NT for 10 taxa NT and LC for 35 taxa. The main threats in the study area are overgrazing, constructions, land clearing, fire, urbanization and tourism. The infrageneric delimitation is performed using multivariate analysis. Identification keys to sections and species are given. Synonymy, updated descriptions, phenology, distribution and habitats in Turkey, general distribution outside Turkey, distribution maps, phytogeography, specimen citations, some notes on taxonomy and photographs showing general appearance of the taxa are also provided.

O círculo arterial do cérebro (CAC) é objeto de estudo desde os princípios da anatomia moderna e ao longo dos séculos documentado e classificado de várias maneiras. Recentemente o desenvolvimento dos métodos diagnósticos por imagem e de ultraestrutura abriram um novo leque nas possibilidades de investigação. Neste trabalho o CAC foi avaliado por meio de exames por angiotomografia computadorizada, por angiorressonância magnética, fotografias de peças anatômicas, histologia, microscopia eletrônica por varredura e por transmissão. Verificou-se na amostra que o CAC possui tendência a simetria. Os achados foram similares na comparação entre os métodos de diagnóstico por imagem, porém não demonstraram todos os achados dos espécimes anatômicos. A metodologia utilizada permitiu verificar que as camadas das paredes das diferentes artérias podem explicar parcialmente as diferenças nos achados entre os métodos de imagem e as peças anatômicas. Os dados aqui apresentados revestem-se de grande importância clínica e cirúrgica uma vez que o CAC é um elemento chave na circulação cerebral. / The Willis Polygon (WP) has been studied since the beginning of modern anatomy and documented and classified over the centuries in various ways. Recently the development of diagnostic imaging methods and ultra structure opened a new range of possibilities in the investigation. In this work the WP was assessed by computer tomography angiography examinations by magnetic resonance angiography, photographs of anatomical specimens, histology, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. It was found that the sample has a tendency to the WP symmetry. The findings were similar when comparing the methods of diagnostic imaging, but did not show all findings of anatomical specimens. The methodology has shown that the different layers of the walls of arteries may partly explain the differences in findings between imaging and anatomical parts. The data presented here are of great clinical and surgical importance, once the WP is a key element in the cerebral circulation.

<p><em>Ornithogalum </em>sect.<em> Heliocharmos</em> je takson izuzetnih karakteristika koje ga čine istovremeno varijabilnim i prostim. Sa rasprostranjenjem na području Severne Afrike, Evrope i jugoistočne Azije jeste takson sa velikim arealom u familiji Hyacinthaceae. Iako je poznat iz pre-Lineovog perioda, sistematičan pristup u istraživa nju je bio<br />redak i vezan za određene geografske oblasti. Kako bi doprineli savremenom poznavanju taksona postavljeni su ciljevi istraživanja koji u osnovi imaju reviziju nomenklature, taksonomije i rasprostranjenja na području Balkanskog poluostrva<br />i Panonske nizije. U istraživanje je uključeno 15 taksona: serija <em>Platyphylla </em>i vrste <em>O</em>. <em>comosum, O.montanum, O. oligophyllum i O. fimbriatum</em>, i serija <em>Tenuifolia</em> i vrste <em>O</em>. <em>exscapum, O. dalmaticum, O. kochii, O. orbelicum, O. umbellatum, O. divergens,</em><br /><em>O. refractum, O. sibthorpii</em> i neimenovani hibrid. Uz pregled&nbsp; nomenklature dat je&nbsp; kritički osvrt na etimologiju roda <em>Ornithogalum</em>. Taksonomski status je određen na osnovu morfometrijskih i citotaksonomskih istraživanja. Morfometrijske analize su uključile morfolo&scaron;ke karakteristike &sbquo;herbarskih podataka&lsquo;, cveta i plodnika, kao i<br />uporednu anatomsku građu lista i cvetnog stabla. Osim toga posebno su analizirane&nbsp; kvalitativne morfolo&scaron;ke&nbsp; karakteristike&nbsp; i mikromorfologija semena i semenjače. Podaci su analizirani standardnim statističkim metodama za definisanje taksonomski informativnih karakteristika i određivanje zasebnih grupa u okviru analiziranih taksona: multivarijantna korespondentna analiza za kvalitativne karaktere i analize varijanse i diskriminantna analiza za kvantitativne karaktere. Za objedinjenu analizu kvalitativnih i kvantitativnih karaktera upotrebljena je Faktorska analiza me&scaron;ovitih podataka. Rezultati statističke obrade podataka su poslužili za kreiranje dihotomog ključa vrsta sekcije<em> Heliocharmos</em>. Citotaksonomska istraživanja, broj hromozoma i veličina genoma kod odabranih taksona su uključena u istraživanje i na<br />osnovu njih je dat citotaksonmski status za date vrste. Kako bi se ispitao uticaj sredinskih faktora na vrste sekcije<em> Heliocharmos</em>, ispitivana je&nbsp; korelacija odabranih ekolo&scaron;kih indikatora i fitohemijskih jedinjenja kod vrste <em>Ornithogalum umbellatum</em>.<br />Taksonomskim zaključcima prethodila je i revizija regionalnih i evropskih herbarijumskih kolekcija: BEO, BEOU, BP, BUNS, K, LJS, LJU, MKNH, PO, SARA, SOM, SO, SOA, W, WU, ZA, ZAGR, ZAHG, ZAHO; pregledane su i digitalne kolekcije:<br />B, BM, BRNU, E, F, FI, G, GE, GZU, HAL, JE, MJG, NAP, OXF, PI, U, MW. Na osnovu rezultata i zaključaka prethodnih analiza, i uz rezultate koji se nalaze u kreiranoj bazi podataka herbarskih eksikata, prikazano je rasprostranjenje vrsta Ornithogalum sect. Heliocharmos. Osim pregleda rasprostranjenja dat je osvrt na op&scaron;ti areal vrsta i<br />stani&scaron;ta. Revizija nomenklature, taksonomije i rasprostranjenja vrsta <em>Ornithogalum</em> sect. <em>Heliocharmos</em> na području Balkanskog poluostrva i Panonske nizije dala je pregled trenutnog znanja o istraživanom taksonu. Potvrđen je nesumnjiv značaj<br />istraživanog područja za diverzitet roda <em>Ornithogalum</em>. Sve ispitivane karakteristike su<br />pokazale određen stepen varijabilnosti ali su takođe i potvrdile svoj taksonomski značaj. Upotrebom različitih kombinacija taksomomskih karaktera svaka od vrsta sekcije može biti jasno opisana. Takav predlog istovremeno ukazuje i na nedostatke<br />u sistematskom pristupu <em>Ornithogalum </em>sect. <em>Heliocharmos</em>.&nbsp;</p> / <p><em>Ornithogalum </em>sect. <em>Heliocharmos </em>is a taxon of exceptional characteristics that make it concurrently variable and simple. With the distribution in North Africa, Europe and Southeast Asia, it is a large-scale taxon in the Hyacinthaceae family. Although known &nbsp; from the pre-Linean period, a systematic approach to research was rare and related to certain geographical areas. In order to contribute to the modern knowledge of the taxon, the goals of the research primarly have the revision of the nomenclature, taxonomy and distribution in the area of the Balkan Peninsula and the Pannonian Plain. The study included 15 taxa: ser. <em>Platyphylla </em>and species <em>O. comosum, O. montanum, O. oligophyllum and O. fimbriatum, and ser. Tenuifolia and O. exscapum</em>,&nbsp; <em>O.dalmaticum, O. kochii, O. orbelicum, O. umbellatum, O. divergens, O. refractum, O. sibthorpii a</em>nd unnamed hybrid. A review of the nomenclature includes a separate chapter a critical overview of the etymology of the genus<em> Ornithogalum</em>. Taxonomic status is determined based on morphometric and cytotaxonomic studies. Morphometric analyzes included&nbsp; morphological characteristics of &lsquo;herbarum data&#39;, flowers and ovary, as well as comparative anatomical structure of leaf and scape. In addition, qualitative morphological characteristics and micromorphology of seeds and testa were analyzed in particular. Data were analyzed by standard statistical methods for defining taxonomic information characteristics and determining separate&nbsp; groups within the analyzed taxon: Multivariate correspondent analysis for qualitative characters and analysis of variance and Discriminant analysis for quantitative characters. For the analysis of qualitative and quantitative characteristics, the Factoraial analysis of mixed data was used. The results of statistical data were used to create a dichotomous key of the <em>Heliocharmos</em> section type. Cytotaxonomic studies, the number of chromosomes and the genome size in selected taxons are included in the study, and cytotoxonomic status for the date of the species is presented. In order to examine the influence of the&nbsp; environmental factors on the section Heliocharmos, the correlation between selected ecological indicators and phytohemical compounds in the species<em> Ornithogalum</em> umbellatum was examined. Taxonomic conclusions were preceded by the revision of regional and European herbarium collections: BEO, BEOU, BP, BUNS, K, LJS, LJU, MKNH, PO, SARA, SO, SO, SOA, V, VU, ZA, ZAGR, ZAHG, ZAHO; digital collections were also revised: B, BM, BRNU, E, F, FI, G, GE, GZU,HAL, JE, MJG, NAP, OKSF, PI, U, MV. Based on the results&nbsp; and conclusions of the taxonomic part of study, and with the results deposited in the created herbarium database, the distribution of the species<em> Ornithogalum</em> sect. <em>Heliocharmos </em>is shown. In addition to reviewing the distribution of data, there is an overview of the general range of species and habitats preferences.Revision of nomenclature, taxonomy and distribution of the species <em>Ornithogalum</em> sect. <em>Heliocharmos </em>in the Balkan Peninsula and the Pannonian Plain gave an overview of the current knowledge of the investigated taxon. The undoubted importance of the investigated area for the diversity of the genus Ornithogalum was confirmed.&nbsp; All the characteristics, have shown a degree of variability but they also confirmed their taxonomic significance. Using different combinations of taxonomic characters, each species can be clearly described. Such a proposal also points to disadvantages in the systematic approach of <em>Ornithogalum</em> sect. <em>Heliocharmos</em>, that need to be further investigated.</p>

Para a realização dos estudos macro e microscópico das glândulas anexas à uretra, foram utilizadas doze capivaras (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris) machos e adultos. Dez animais para estudo macroscópico e dois para o estudo histológico, dos quais foram coletados fragmentos das glândulas acessórias, imersos em solução fixadora de Bouin, lavados, cuidadosamente, em alcool de 70° ao absoluto. A seguir, foram submetidos aos processos histológicos de rotina e corados pelos métodos de Hematoxilina/Eosina e Tricrômico de Masson. Os resultados morfológicos encontrados foram: o ducto deferente possui um espessamento da parede, onde a luz permanece inalterada e sem presença de epitélio granular, abrindo na uretra, ao nível do colículo seminal. A glândula vesicular é par, tubular e seu ducto forma, na uretra o óstio ejaculador com o ducto deferente (colículo seminal) e possui um epitélio secretor do tipo pseudo-estratificado cilíndrico. A prostática é uma estrutura par, dividida em vários lobos (glândula tubular multilobada), com formato variável, e seus ductos abrem-se mediante duas pregas adjacentes ao óstio ejaculatório na uretra; e sua mucosa possui pregueamentos altos e ramificados, revestidos por epitélio pseudo-estratificado cilíndrico. / For the realization of the macro and microscopical studies on the glands annexed to the urethra, twelve capybara (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris) were used, males and adults. Ten animals for the macroscopical study, and two for the hystological study, from which fragments of the annexed glands were collected, imersed in Bowin fixing solution, carefully washed in absolute 70° alcohol. Afterwards, they underwent the routine histological processes and died by the Hematoxilin/Eosin and Masson\'s Tricomic methods. The morphological resuts found were: the deferent duct has a wall thickening, where light remains unchanged and whithout presence of granular epithelium, opening in the urethra at the seminal coliculum . The vesicular gland is in pair, tubular and its duct forms, in the uretra, the ejaculatory ostium with the deferent duct (seminal coliculum) and has a secretory epithelium of the pseudostratified cilindrical kind. The prostate is in pair, divided into several lobus (multilobated tubular gland), with varying shape and its ducts open at two folds adjacent to the ejaculatory ostium in the urethra and its mucosa has high and ramified folds, lined with pseudostratified cilindrical epithelium.

Estudou-se a posição e morfologia dos órgãos genitais masculinos de dez pacas-machos adultas; cinco espécimes fixados em solução aquosa de formol a 10% foram estudados macroscopicamente; de cinco espécimes foram coletados fragmentos dessas estruturas, que após procedimento usual para a inclusão em paraplast e historesina, foram analisados microscopicamente. Externamente identificou-se o escroto na época da migração dos testículos que apresentavam parênquima estruturado em túbulos seminíferos em cuja membrana basal repousava o epitélio germinativo; estes órgãos também podiam estar na cavidade abdominal ou no trajeto inguinal. O pênis fibroelástico localizava-se na região púbica, em direção caudal, sua glande, revestida por epitélio queratinizado, era recoberta pelo prepúcio, abaixo deste verificou-se uma estrutura delgada cartilagínea com bordas serreadas; um par de espículas ósseas estavam em um saco ventral à uretra, cuja mucosa era revestida por epitélio de transição. O ducto epididimário, revestido por epitélio pseudo-estratificado e cúbico simples, apresentava-se enovelado na cabeça, continuava-se em corpo e cauda, da qual se originava o ducto deferente, revestido por epitélio estratificado colunar. As glândulas genitais acessórias pares: vesiculares, prostáticas, coaguladoras e bulbo uretrais, estruturavam-se como glândulas mucosas desembocando na uretra pélvica. / The position and morphology of the male genitals of ten adult male pacas were studied; five especimens were fixed in aqueous solution of 10% formol and studied microscopically. From five especimens were collected fragments of these structures that after this usual proceeding to the inclusion in paraplaster and historesin they were analysed microscopically. Externally, we could identify the scrotum in the age of migration of testicle that presented structured parenchyma in seminiferous tubules which the basal menbrane reposed the germinative epithelium; these organs could be in the abdominal cavity or in the inguinal course. The fibroelastic male organ is located in the pubic region, in direction to tail, its gland, covered by keratinous epithelium was recovered by prepuce, under this we can find one thin cartilaginous structure with serried boards; one pair of osseous espícules were in the ventral sack until urethra which mucous was covered by epithelium of transition. The epidermal duct was covered by a pseudo- stratified epithelium and cubic simple, and it was coiled in the head, it was kept the body and the tail which one the referent duct originated, covered by pseudo- stratified epithelium columnar. The genital glandulas accessories: Vesicular, prostate, coagulative and urethral bulb, estructured like mucous glandulas emerging to pelvic urethra.

As alterações morfológicas do envelhecimento normal do disco intervertebral confundem-se com as patológicas. O objetivo deste estudo foi elaborar um perfil destas alterações. Discos intervertebrais cervicais e lombares foram coletados de 30 indivíduos assintomáticos: 15 jovens e 15 idosos. A morfologia foi analisada por macroscopia, ressonância magnética, histologia, microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) e imuno-histoquímica para os colágenos de tipo I, II, III, IV, V, VI, IX e X. Alterações degenerativas foram mais acentuadas nos discos de idosos. O anel fibroso possui lamelas oblíquas que se adensam com o envelhecimento. A análise histológica não revela um núcleo distinto em nível cervical, porém a MEV o demonstra. As fibras colágenas sofreram intenso remodelamento e formam um padrão único para cada segmento. Alterações em nível cervical são semelhantes às lombares com algumas peculiaridades: substituição cartilagínea é comum. Muitas das técnicas rotineiras de avaliação não conseguem detectar as alterações discais ultraestruturais únicas de cada segmento. / The morphological alterations of normal aging in the intervertebral disc are frequently mistaken for those considered to be pathologic. Our aim is to elaborate a morphological profile of these alterations. Human cervical and lumbar intervertebral discs were harvested from 15 young (<35 years old) and 15 elderly (>65 years old) asymptomatic individuals. Their morphology was studied utilizing macroscopic technique, magnetic resonance, histology, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and immunohistochemistry against types I, II, III, IV, V, Vi, IX and X collagens. Degenerative changes were more evident in discs of elderly individuals but even young discs displayed significant degeneration. The annulus is composed of oblique lamellae that get denser as they age. Histology frequently did not reveal a distinct nucleus in the cervical segment but SEM did. Collagen fibers form a pattern unique to each segment. Alterations in cervical discs are similar to those in lumbar specimens but include peculiarities. Several alterations could not be detected by MR or normal histology.