Abstract:

Objective 　To study the characteristics of the flow of blood in patellar tendon(PT) and cruciate ligament in order to provide the morphological basic data for ligament reconstruction in clinical medicine.　Methods　42 cases of lower limb were selected, including 6 adults and 36 fetuses. The femoral artery of each limbs were first perfused with red latex and separated all the main blood vessels and other tissues (6 adults). Ink was injected into the arteries 30 fetuses, tissue sections were made and made transparent. The microvascular architecture of PT and cruciate ligament were observed and the blood capillary density of PT and cruciate ligament were measured under optical microscope. Ligaments of 6 fetal specimens were cut and made into HE sections, observed under optical microscope.　Results　The arteries of the PT comes from the branches of femoral artery; The microvascular density of foetal patella of different area varies. The distribution pattern of the arteries of the PT has the characteristic of low in intermediate while high on both sides. The artery of ACL and PCL is derived from the branch of the popliteal artery and patellar artery. Most of the blood vessels flow along the axis direction while some are crosswise, like a ladder and net-shaped at the same time.　Conclusion　①Both of PT and cruciate ligament have a  weak vascular area to the center; ②The most abundant blood supply are on the both ends of the ligament, and near side is better than distal one; ③The blood supply of the PT is better than cruciate ligament, PT has the better bloodsupply in cruciate ligament reconstruction

Key words: Patellar tendon, Cruciate ligaments of knee, Angioarchitecture, Reconstruction