This paper is based on a study of bones from fifty-five (55) knee joints, ages ranging from newborn to ninety (90) years. Full details of techniques of sped men injection and preparation are given.The gross arterial and venous patterns in adult bones are identical with the patterns present within these structures which are largely cartilaginous at birth.The lower end of the femur is penetrated by radiate epiphyseal arteries around its circumference. These terminate in sinusoidal capillaries within the cartilage, the corresponding veins leaving along the lines of entry of the radiate arteries. NO anastomoses exist between adjacent intracartilaginous vessels, their distribution in the epiphysis being segmental. The lateral superior genicular radiate epiphyseal arteries, for example, supply a relatively fixed segment of the lateral femoral condyle. This arrangement no longer exists when the ossific center extends to involve the sinusoidal tips of more and more vessels, effective anastomoses eventually developing between all vessels supplying the lower end of the femur.Analagous findings are reported in the tibia. The patella is penetrated at its center and lower pole by nutrient arteries.In adult bones a subarticular collecting vein system is orientated parallel to articular surfaces. Short venous stems of subchondral capillary loops drain into these subarticular collecting veins which then drain off at articular margins into tributaries of the main veins. These are original findings.With the evolution of technical aids for research there has been a tendency for investigators to devote less attention to some of the problems of anatomy which remain to be further clarified by the use of quite simple techniques. This applies particularly to the study of intraosseous vascular patterns. Although interest in this subject was first seriously stimulated and knowledge of it advanced by the work of Lexer and his colleagues ('04), little is known and Iittle is taught of the subject today. Orthopedic surgeons have recognized the practical importance of a knowledge of the blood supply of bones and indeed some of them have contributed to the study of the subject. On the other hand, relatively few anatomists have applied themselves to studies in this particular field in recent years. Most papers dealing with this general subject treat of limited aspects of vascular anatomy in one part of a particular bone (Kelly et al. '61). It is difficult to find information on both the arteries and veins within bones in one article. In fact, even in some recent publications the authors fail to distinguish between arteries and veins in their specimens (Haliburton et al., '58). This paper deals with the arterial supply and venous drainage of the lower end of the femur, the patelIa and the upper end of the tibia in man. A critical appreciation of the methods used in this investigation is included. By presenting the vascular anatomy of the bones of the knee joint in one article certain well known anatomical features are thereby highlighted...
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