The vascularization of the peripheral nerve of chicken and rat.

The vascular system of the sciatic nerve of chicken and rats was examined by means of the microcorrosion casting technique and freeze-broken specimens. The main epineural vessels form two lateral and interfascicular vascular bundles which anastomose with one another and also with the peri- and endoneural plexuses. On epi- and perineural vessels one can find morphological correlates for regulative means such as sphincters. Even the endoneural vessels depict numerous anastomoses. The proximity of the vessels as well as the great number of anastomoses suggests a considerable compensatory potential with an adaptable perfusion rate in case of a partial breakdown of a plexus.