Fine vascular anatomy of adult rabbit knee ligaments.
The microvascular anatomy of discrete knee ligaments in adult rabbits is described. Epiligamentous plexuses give rise to a limited number of vessels which penetrate deeply into ligament substance. Intraligamentous vessels are usually longitudinally orientated, widely separated linear anastomoses but occasionally complex glomus-like configurations are present. The significance of these findings is discussed in relation to other articular connective tissues and to the possible roles of the intraligamentous microvasculature.
Bray
R C
RC
Joint Injury and Diseases Research Group, University of Calgary, Faculty of Medicine, Alberta, Canada.
Fisher
A W
AW
Frank
C B
CB
D000818:Animals; D007281:Ink; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000098:blood supply*; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000098:blood supply*; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D011817:Rabbits