ISSN:
0003-276X
Keywords:
Rabbit
;
Knee joint
;
Synovial vasculature
;
Resin casts
;
Scanning electron microscopy
;
Life and Medical Sciences
;
Cell & Developmental Biology
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Background. Although numerous studies about the synovial vasculature exist, reports about the three-dimensional architecture of the synovial vasculature with special respect to the regional differentiations are still lacking.Methods. The synovial vasculature in the knee joint of six albino rabbits was investigated using scanning electron microscopy of vascular resin casts. In addition, histological sections were made from the decalcified knees of two rabbits.Results. The vessels of the fibrous tissue in the joint capsule (medial and lateral parts) were arranged in two layers; a synovial layer with arteriovenous anastomoses and a layer facing the fibrous tissue with a more simply arranged vessel architecture. In the areolar (suprapatellar) pad, the vessels form a dense array of capillary loops that possess capillary arcades as arteriovenous connections and true arteriovenous anastomoses located in the deeper layer near the subsynovial tissue. Those capillaries that border the cartilage form more flattened and isolated loops. In the fatty tissue the vasculature resembles the simply arranged network of the outer layer of the fibrous tissue.Conclusions. This first scanning electron microscopic study of the rabbit knee synovial vessels shows that each region possesses a characteristic microvascular pattern-possibly adapted to the functional needs of the joint (production of synovial fluid, nourishment of the avascular tissues; maintainance of the blood flow during all joint positions). © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Additional Material:
10 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ar.1092430205
Permalink
