Microangiographic studies of metaphyseal vessels in young foals

Selective perfusion and microangiographic examination of the radius and metacarpus of 30 foals were performed. Vessels of extraosseous origin supplying the peripheral part of the metaphysis were not demonstrated in young foals, but became more obvious in older animals. The development of this vessel system coincided with the reduction of transphyseal vessels from the epiphysis crossing the growth plate.