[Vascularization of the cervical trachea and its clinical relevance. A scanning electron microscopy study on...

The angioarchitecture of the cervical trachea of the rat as a model was studied using scanning electron microscopy of vascular corrosion casts. Four different types of vascular pattern are described. 1. Supplying and draining vessels of the first order (Superior and inferior thyroid arteries, and inferior thyroid veins) situated within the peritracheal tissue at the lateral sides of the trachea. 2. The vessels arising from them, which have a horizontal course and lie within the intercartilaginous membrane (vessels of the second order). 3. The vessels of the third order branching from those of the second order, perforating the intercartilaginous membrane and again running vertically within the tracheal mucosa. 4. Vessels of the fourth order forming the capillary plexus of the tracheal mucosa, consisting of irregular (pars fibrocartilaginea) or rectangular (pars membranacea) meshes. The clinical relevance of the vascular patterns of the trachea is discussed in respect to ischemic tracheal lesions.