The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a series of interconnected membranes or flattened sacs adjacent and connected to the nuclear membrane. The ER comes in two different morphological forms: smooth endoplasmic reticulum (sER) and rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER). The primary function of the sER is to serve as a platform for the synthesis of lipids (fats), carbohydrate (sugars) metabolism , and the detoxification of drugs and other toxins.
An aortogram is an image of the aorta, the largest artery in the body, acquired by injecting a radiopaque substance into a patient and using medical imaging equipment to snap a series of pictures.
Abdominal Aortic Ultrasound. An abdominal aortic ultrasound is a noninvasive exam that uses high-frequency sound waves to visually evaluate the aorta, the largest blood vessel in the body that carries blood away from the heart. This test determines if there are blockages, narrowing or aneurysm (an enlargement or a âbulgeâ) in the aorta.