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The vasculature of the periodontal ligament: a scanning electron microscopic study using corrosion casts in the rat.

The purpose of this study was to examine the 3-dimensional architecture of the microvascular system of the rat periodontal ligament (PDL). Vascular corrosion casts were prepared and examined by scanning electron microscopy. Cervically, arterioles and venules communicated with the profuse capillary network of the gingiva. The mid-root segment of the PDL contained arterioles and venules that mainly coursed occluso-apically near the alveolar wall, as well as capillary loops located closer to the root surface. Arterioles entered the PDL through vascular canals from the bone marrow, then coursed coronally and branched into an interconnected network of capillaries. The capillaries formed hairpin loops pointing coronally. At the tip, the capillary loops were enlarged in diameter and had an irregular luminar surface. The capillaries then coursed apically, anastomosing freely, until entering a venule. Large venules mainly followed a coronal-apical path, giving the PDL vasculature a palisade-like appearance. These vessels either left the PDL through vascular canals in the alveolar wall or connected in an apical, venous cap with venules exiting through the apical foramen. The results show that the microvasculature forms a highly organized system presumably related to the specialized functions of the periodontium. Cervically, a dense capillary system may be required for antimicrobial defense and rapid tissue turnover. The vasculature in the middle segment supports the suspensory structures, while the venous cap in the apical region may be designed to cushion masticatory forces.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)