The Extracellular Matrix Contributes to Mechanotransduction in Uterine Fibroids
Figure 3
Collagen fibrils in myometrium and fibroids. Comparison of collagen fibril organization in the extracellular matrix of myometrium or uterine fibroid using electron microscopy. (a) Myometrium. Collagen fibrils are tightly packed and well-aligned, as shown by the black arrow. The nucleus is denoted by the white arrowhead. Magnification = 11,500x. (b) Fibroid. The collagen fibrils are randomly aligned and widely spaced, as shown by black arrows. The nucleus is notched and denoted by the white arrowhead. Magnification = 15,500x. Representative sections on samples harvested from a single uterus.
