title: The microvascular pattern of the supraspinatus tendon.
abstract: The vascular pattern of the supraspinatus tendon was studied in 18 human anatomic specimens. The ages of the specimens ranged from 26 to 84 years. Selective vascular injection with a silicon-rubber compound allowed visualization of the vascular bed of the rotator cuff and humeral head. The presence of a hypovascular or critical zone close to the insertion of the supraspinatus tendon into the humeral head was confirmed. However, only a uniformly sparse vascular distribution was found at the articular side, as opposed to the well-vascularized bursal side. This was also confirmed with histologic sections of the tendon. The poor vascularity of the tendon in this area could be a significant factor in the pathogenesis of degenerative rotator cuff tears.
authors.affiliation: Division of Orthopaedics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa General Hospital, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Lohr
authors.forename: H K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Uhthoff
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001366:Axillary Artery; D002196:Capillaries / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D004396:Coloring Agents; D006801:Humans; D008833:Microcirculation; D008875:Middle Aged; D009132:Muscles / Q000098:blood supply; D012785:Shoulder Joint; D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D013710:Tendons / Q000098:blood supply*
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D012826:Silicone Elastomers