Extraosseous vascular supply to the mature dog's coxofemoral joint

Blood vessels supplying the coxofemoral joint were identified and described in 8 healthy, mature dogs. An accurate representation of the blood vessels was obtained by intra-arterial methyl methacrylate injection and sodium hydroxide corrosion of soft tissues until only the pelvis, femurs, and casts of the blood vessels remained. The sources of vascular supply to the dog's coxofemoral joint, from most to least contributory, were the lateral circumflex femoral artery, the medial circumflex femoral artery, the caudal gluteal artery, the cranial gluteal artery, and the iliolumbar artery. In addition, important vascular relationships were demonstrated. Many blood vessels were associated with the periosteal surfaces of the coxofemoral joint in areas of muscular and articular capsular attachment; fewer vessels were present in areas of loose periosteal attachment. Also, extra-articular anastomoses were identified. The most significant anastomosis was an extracapsular vascular ring located at the femoral attachment of the articular capsule. The extracapsular vascular ring was formed by branches of the lateral and medial circumflex femoral and caudal gluteal arteries.