Structure and Functions of Blood Vessels and Vascular Niches in Bone

Figure 1

Blood vessel arrangement in long bone. (a) Longitudinal view demonstrates arrangement of arteries, veins, and capillaries in the epiphysis, metaphysis, and diaphysis regions of long bone. Arteries branch into smaller arterioles and terminate in type H capillaries. Type H capillaries are localised near osteoprogenitors in the metaphysis and endosteum regions. Type L capillaries are sinusoidal vessels terminating in the central vein. (b) Transverse view shows bone vascular pattern in cortical and medullary regions of long bone. A large central vein and a few nutrient arteries are prominent in the medullary region. (c) Arrangement of blood vessels showing the connection between cortical and medullary blood flow. Periosteal blood vessels are connected intermittently with cortical blood vessels.

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