A scanning electron microscopical study of the dermal microcirculation of the equine foot

The microcirculation of the dermal laminae and papillae of the equine foot from seven clinically normal Australian ponies was studied using an improved microvascular casting corrosion technique and scanning electron microscopy. Casts of veins, arteries, capillaries and arteriovenous anastomoses (AVAs) were readily identified by their characteristic surface morphology. Arteries entered the laminar circulation axially, between pairs of axial veins, and were connected to each other by smaller calibre interconnecting arteries. Short abaxial branches of the axial interconnecting arteries gave rise to tufts of predominantly, proximodistally orientated, capillaries arranged abaxially in rows. The laminar veins anastomosed with each other extensively (the axial venous plexus) and formed most of the vascular skeleton of casts of the dermal laminae. AVAs were found throughout the laminar circulation but the largest and longest (40 mu diameter) were found clustered close to the origin of the axial arteries. The density of the laminar AVAs was estimated to be 500 AVAs/cm2. Blood vessels of the dermal papillae of the periople, coronary band, distal laminae, sole and frog shared a basic structural organisation. The cast of each papillary unit consisted of a central artery and vein enmeshed in a sheath of fine capillaries. At intervals along the length of the central artery were short branches which gave rise to tufts of capillaries. The capillaries formed a tortuous anastomosing plexus which encircled the papillary unit and drained into the central vein at intervals along its length. AVAs were always present at the base of the papillary units and anastomoses connected the central artery and vein. AVAs are important components of the dermal microcirculation of the equine foot and their distribution and density is compatible with their proposed role in the pathophysiology of equine laminitis.