Vasa Vasorum of the Pulmonary Artery of the Rabbit

Abstract

In the rabbit, the arterial and venous vasa vasorum of the pulmonary artery from its origin to the entrance of the right and left pulmonary arteries into the lung were studied and described through the use of a specially prepared silicone rubber injection mass. The physical-chemical characteristics of this material allowed detailed filling of the vascular bed under physiological conditions. Special features of the rich arterial and venous vasa vasorum of the pulmonary artery include: (1) spiral palisading of small vessels and (2)arterial and venous vasal confluences that result from the junction of branches from multiple supply and drainage sites. Both of these may be special adaptations for the normal rapid stretch of the pulmonary artery.