Scanning electron microscopical study of tracheal vascularization in guinea pig.

In view of a considerable increase of the tracheal injuries brought about by intubation, further detailed information on microcirculation of the trachea is needed. For this purpose, the normal microvascularization of the guinea pig trachea was investigated in microcorrosion casts viewed in a scanning electron microscope. The trachea is supplied by longitudinal vascular bundles running at both sides of the organ, including both longitudinal tracheoesophageal arteries and veins. They are the source of a segmental vascularization of the trachea. Due to numerous arteriovenous anastomoses and anastomoses occurring within respective arterious and venous vascular systems, a constant blood flow within submucous capillary plexus and the tracheal wall is provided. A characteristic feature of tracheal vascularization is a very rich, dense network of veins, which form well-developed plexuses, particularly in tracheal segments covered by skeletal cartilages.