Vasa vasorum
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The vasa vasorum are supporting microvasculature of the larger calibre arteries and veins of the body.
History and etymology
First described in literature by English physician Thomas Willis in 1678, it was initially termed "vasa arteriosa" by Dutch anatomist Frederik Ruysch in 1696. The term "vasa vasorum" was coined by the German physician Christian Ludwig in 1739, now adopted in contemporary literature 1.
It translates to "the vessel of vessels" in Latin.
Gross anatomy
There are three subtypes of vasa vasorum 2,3:
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Vasavasa vasorum externaArise: arise from various arteries based on anatomical location (e.g. intercostal arteries for descending thoracic aorta) to supply the tunica adventitia and media
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Vasavasa vasorum internaArisearise from the lumen of parent vesselOnlyonly confirmed in porcine models
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Venousvenous vasa vasorumFunctions: functions as venous drainage for large vessels into neighbouring veins
Sites that vasa vasorum occur 2-5:
Aortaaorta and its major branchesInferiorinferior and superior vena cava
History and etymology
Vaso vasorum translates to "the vessel of vessels" in Latin. First described by English physician Thomas Willis in 1678, it was initially termed "vasa arteriosa" by Dutch anatomist Frederik Ruysch in 1696. The term "vasa vasorum" was coined by the German physician Christian Ludwig in 1739, now adopted in contemporary literature 1.
Related pathology
Although the presence of vasa vasorum has been established for centuries, their significance in various diseases has only been realised in recent decades. Pathologies of note are 6,7:
-<p>The <strong>vasa vasorum</strong> are supporting microvasculature of the larger calibre arteries and veins of the body.</p><h4>History and etymology</h4><p>First described in literature by English physician Thomas Willis in 1678, it was initially termed "vasa arteriosa" by Dutch anatomist Frederik Ruysch in 1696. The term "vasa vasorum" was coined by the German physician Christian Ludwig in 1739, now adopted in contemporary literature <sup>1</sup>.</p><p>It translates to "the vessel of vessels" in Latin.</p><h4>Gross anatomy</h4><p>There are three subtypes of vasa vasorum <sup>2,3</sup>:</p><ul>- +<p>The <strong>vasa vasorum</strong> are supporting microvasculature of the larger calibre arteries and veins of the body.</p><h4>Gross anatomy</h4><p>There are three subtypes of vasa vasorum <sup>2,3</sup>:</p><ul>
- +<li><p>vasa vasorum externa: arise from various arteries based on anatomical location (e.g. intercostal arteries for descending thoracic aorta) to supply the tunica adventitia and media</p></li>
-<p>Vasa vasorum externa</p>-<ul><li><p>Arise from various arteries based on anatomical location (e.g. intercostal arteries for descending thoracic aorta) to supply the tunica adventitia and media</p></li></ul>-</li>-<li>-<p>Vasa vasorum interna</p>- +<p>vasa vasorum interna</p>
-<li><p>Arise from the lumen of parent vessel</p></li>-<li><p>Only confirmed in porcine models</p></li>- +<li><p>arise from the lumen of parent vessel</p></li>
- +<li><p>only confirmed in porcine models</p></li>
-<li>-<p>Venous vasa vasorum</p>-<ul><li><p>Functions as venous drainage for large vessels into neighbouring veins</p></li></ul>-</li>- +<li><p>venous vasa vasorum: functions as venous drainage for large vessels into neighbouring veins</p></li>
-<li><p><a href="/articles/aorta" title="Aorta">Aorta</a> and its major branches</p></li>-<li><p><a href="/articles/coronary-arteries" title="Coronary arteries">Coronary arteries</a></p></li>-<li><p><a href="/articles/portal-vein" title="Portal vein">Portal vein</a></p></li>-<li><p><a href="/articles/inferior-vena-cava-1" title="Inferior vena cava">Inferior</a> and <a href="/articles/superior-vena-cava" title="Superior vena cava">superior</a> vena cava</p></li>-</ul><h4>Related pathology</h4><p>Although the presence of vasa vasorum has been established for centuries, their significance in various diseases has only been realised in recent decades. Pathologies of note are <sup>6,7</sup>:</p><ul>-<li><p><a href="/articles/acute-aortic-syndrome" title="Acute aortic syndrome">Acute aortic syndrome</a></p></li>-<li><p><a href="/articles/arteriosclerosis" title="Atherosclerosis - general">Atherosclerosis</a></p></li>-<li><p><a href="/articles/mycotic-aneurysm" title="Mycotic aneurysms">Mycotic aneurysms</a></p></li>- +<li><p><a href="/articles/aorta" title="Aorta">aorta</a> and its major branches</p></li>
- +<li><p><a href="/articles/coronary-arteries" title="Coronary arteries">coronary arteries</a></p></li>
- +<li><p><a href="/articles/portal-vein" title="Portal vein">portal vein</a></p></li>
- +<li><p><a href="/articles/inferior-vena-cava-1" title="Inferior vena cava">inferior</a> and <a href="/articles/superior-vena-cava" title="Superior vena cava">superior vena cava</a></p></li>
- +</ul><h4>History and etymology</h4><p>Vaso vasorum translates to "the vessel of vessels" in Latin. First described by English physician <strong>Thomas Willis</strong> in 1678, it was initially termed "vasa arteriosa" by Dutch anatomist <strong>Frederik Ruysch</strong> in 1696. The term "vasa vasorum" was coined by the German physician <strong>Christian Ludwig</strong> in 1739, now adopted in contemporary literature <sup>1</sup>. </p><h4>Related pathology</h4><p>Although the presence of vasa vasorum has been established for centuries, their significance in various diseases has only been realised in recent decades. Pathologies of note are <sup>6,7</sup>:</p><ul>
- +<li><p><a href="/articles/acute-aortic-syndrome" title="Acute aortic syndrome">acute aortic syndrome</a></p></li>
- +<li><p><a href="/articles/arteriosclerosis" title="Atherosclerosis - general">atherosclerosis</a></p></li>
- +<li><p><a href="/articles/mycotic-aneurysm" title="Mycotic aneurysms">mycotic aneurysms</a></p></li>
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