Vascular invasion of the epithyseal growth plate: Analysis of metaphyseal capillary ultrastructure and growth dynamics

Metaphyseal blood vessels which invade the calcifying epiphyseal growth plate were examined by a variety of techniques to determine their morphology, cell division, and growth patterns as they relate to endochondral ossification. Four regions of these vessels were characterized: 1) sprout tips--the terminal ends of the capillary sprouts which impinge upon the hypertrophic chondrocytes of the growth plate; 2) region of extended calcified …