Vasa vasorum

Vasa Vasorum

The vasa vasorum (Latin, "vessels of the vessels") is a network of small blood vessels that supply the walls of large blood vessels, such as elastic arteries and large veins. The name is derived from Latin 'vas' meaning vessel, and 'vasorum', the genitive plural of 'vas', thus meaning vessels of the vessels.

Structure

The vasa vasorum are found in the walls of large blood vessels, such as the aorta and vena cava, and are more prevalent in veins than in arteries. They are particularly abundant in the tunica adventitia layer of the vessel wall, but can also be found in the outer part of the tunica media layer.

Function

The primary function of the vasa vasorum is to supply oxygen and nutrients to the cells of the walls of large blood vessels, which cannot be sufficiently supplied by blood in the lumen of the vessel. They also remove waste products from the cells of the vessel wall.

Clinical significance

The vasa vasorum play a significant role in the pathogenesis of a number of vascular diseases, including atherosclerosis and aneurysm. In atherosclerosis, the growth of the vasa vasorum into the intima layer of the vessel wall is associated with plaque development and progression. In aneurysm, the vasa vasorum are implicated in the weakening and subsequent dilation of the vessel wall.

See also

• Blood vessel
• Aorta
• Vena cava
• Atherosclerosis
• Aneurysm

References

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