title: Microvascular distribution in normal human synovium.
abstract: The distribution of vessels in normal human synovium has been investigated using frozen sections and staining with Ulex Europaeus lectin by an indirect immunoperoxidase technique. The presence of a vascular net close to the tissue surface was confirmed. Quantitative analysis showed the majority of vessel profiles to be small venules with a peak density 25-100 microns beneath the tissue surface. A smaller number of capillaries was present with a peak density within 25 microns of the tissue surface. It is suggested that important functions of the numerous venules seen in synovium may include the provision of a source of fresh monocytes to replace surface macrophages and provision of nutrients for the surface layer of cells as a whole, and that the density of the vascular net may reflect angiogenic signals from this cell layer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology Research, University College and Middlesex School of Medicine, London.
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Wilkinson
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Edwards
mesh_terms: D000886:Anthropometry; D001160:Arterioles / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D002196:Capillaries / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D013583:Synovial Membrane / Q000098:blood supply*; D014699:Venules / Q000033:anatomy & histology