[Arterial vascularization of the tibia in the adult]

The arterial vascularization of the tibia in an adult is examined by microangiography (with micropaque).--The proximal epiphysis vessels originate in the periarticular circle of the knee; some are vertical, others horizontal; the condylus medialis is more vascularized than the condylus lateralis.--The metaphysis is vascularized by the arteria nutriciae terminal branches and by numerous vessels originating in the periosteal system.--The diaphysis depends on the nutrition (arteria nutriciae tibialis) and periosteal systems: these two systems are equally important in the two upper thirds but in the lower third the nutrition system is more important.--The proximal metaphysis receives numerous arteries coming from the periosteal system; they anastomose with the terminal ramifications of the arteria nutriciae.--The distal epiphysis is vascularized by three pedicles: anterior, posterior, and medial, whose branches anastomose. These pedicles are provided by the perimalleolar circle.