[Vascularization of the wall of the superficial veins. Anatomic study of the vasa vasorum].
BACKGROUND
The blood vessel wall is almost always nourished by two ways; from the blood stream itself and through the outer part of the wall by vasa vasorum.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to demonstrate that this kind of nutrition is also available for the venous wall and to define the distribution pattern in superficial venous walls.


METHODS
50 long saphenous veins and 20 short saphenous veins latex or barium injections, dissections with magnifying glasses and microradiographies. Topographical evaluation of the origin of vasa vasorum.


RESULTS
The results showed that vasa vasorum originated from perforating arteries coming from several levels and getting a lot of anastomosis. We showed that the main sources for the long saphenous vein are the external pudendal artery and descending artery of the knee and for the short saphenous vein, the short saphenous vein artery. In thrombosis and varicose veins, the vasa were strongly altered.


CONCLUSIONS
This study outlines the fact that superficial veins are supplied by arterial and venous vasa vasorum, and the role of vasa vasorum must be considered when questioning the pathogenesis of varicose and post thrombotic disease.
Lefebvre
D
D
Laboratoire d'Anatomie: Faculté de Médecine, Hôpital Purpan, Toulouse.
Lescalie
F
F
D001163:Arteriovenous Anastomosis / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D011859:Radiography; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014651:Vasa Vasorum / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging