Vascularization of the wall of the superficial veins. Anatomic study of the vasa vasorum
Lefebvre, D.; Lescalie, F.
Journal des Maladies Vasculaires 21 Suppl C: 245-248
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0398-0499 PMID: 8984142 Document Number: 455405
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. 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. 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. 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. 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.