Question

Johnny fractured the lower third of his right tibia in a skiing accident. The soft tissues in the area were severely damaged and their surgical removal was necessary. After prolonged immobilization, it was found that Johnny was healing very poorly. The explanation offered by the orthopedic surgeon was that vascularization of the fracture site was still inadequate and good healing was absolutely dependent upon an adequate blood supply. Describe how a long bone receives its blood supply and trace the path of nutrient delivery to the osteocytes.

Answer 1

Answer:

Explanation:

Fracture healing is a complex process that requires the recruitment of appropriate cells and the subsequent expression of appropriate genes at the right time and in the right anatomical location. Bones are richly supplied with blood vessels. Most apparent are the nutrient arteries (one or more per bone) that arises from adjacent arteries outside the bone and enter the bone through the nutrient foramina. The nutrient artery divide in the medullary cavity into ascending and descending branches. Blood get to the bone cells through the haversian systems or osteons which are microscopic canal systems that house the blood vessels. The end of bones are supplied by epiphyseal and metaphyseal arteries.