Nutrient pathways to flexor tendons using hydrogen washout technique.
The nutrient pathways of flexor tendons within the flexor sheath were studied using the hydrogen washout technique. Hydrogen uptake and decay of a free segment of flexor tendon detached from its blood supply were not significantly different from an intact tendon lying in the synovial bed. There was no hydrogen uptake by flexor tendons which were mechanically separated from the synovial bed, even though muscular, periosteal and vincular attachments were intact. We concluded from this study that the synovium of the flexor tendon was a significant nutrient pathway for the flexor tendon and that the blood vessels did not appear to play a significant role in the nourishment of the flexor tendon.
D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens; D006207:Half-Life; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D008722:Methods; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D013710:Tendons / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
D006859:Hydrogen