Biological Niches within Human Calcified Aortic Valves: Towards Understanding of the Pathological Biomineralization Process

Figure 5

High resolution field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) micrographs of pathological bioapatite nanocrystals. (a) Needle/rod-like nanocrystals distributed as randomly aggregate are visible within a small cavity of the organic tissue of a tricuspid aortic valve. (b) Very thin needle/rod-like nanocrystals grown as randomly aggregate in a small cavity of a bicuspid aortic valve. (c) Needle/rod-like nanocrystals grown onto the organic substrate. Their orientated growth over the organic interface is visible.

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