Summary
By intraarterial injection of silicone rubber we visualized the main feeding vessels of the rabbit trachea. They originate from the right subclavian artery and supply bilateral longitudinal tracheo-esophageal arteries. These lie in the groove between the trachea and the esophagus, giving off numerous segmental branches to both of these organs. In the trachea these pass submucosally between the tracheal cartilages, feeding a rich capillary network within the mucosa. The membranous part of the trachea is extremely well supplied with vessels, originating in arteries running longitudinally in the space between the trachea and the esophagus.
The mucosa contains many sinusoidal ectasias, forming an almost cavernous arrangement in the tracheal wall. It is probable that these vessels are of great importance for the conditioning of inhaled air.
Experimental studies on intubated animals have shown that a large-volume tracheal tube cuff, inflated to a pressure of 50 mm Hg, decreases or completely hinders capillary silicone rubber perfusion of the tracheal mucosa.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Blanding, J. D., Jr., Ogilvie, R. W., Hoffman, C. L., Knisely, W. H.: The gross morphology of the arterial supply to the trachea, primary bronchi, and esophagus. Anatomical record 148, 611–614 (1964)
Carroll, R. G., McGinnis, G. E., Grenvik, Å.: Performance characteristics of tracheal cuffs. International Anesthesiology Clinics, vol. 12, 3, 110 (1974)
Craigie, E. H.: A laboratory guide to the anatomy of the rabbit. 2. ed. Toronto 1966
Cunningham, D. J.: Textbook of Anatomy. 8th ed. New York: Oxford University Press 1943
Dunn, R. C., Dunn, D. L., Moser, K. M.: Determinants of tracheal injury by cuffed tracheostomy tubes. Chest 65, 128–135 (1974)
Goldberg, M., Pearson, F. G.: Pathogenesis of tracheal stenosis following tracheostomy with a cuffed tube. Thorax 27, 678–691 (1972)
Miura, T., Grillo, H. C.: The contribution of the inferior thyroid artery to the blood supply of the human trachea. Surg. Gynec. and Obstr. 123, 99–102 (1966)
Morris' Human Anatomy: A complete systematic treatise. Edited by J. Parsons Schaeffer. 10th ed. Philadelphia: The Blakiston Co. 1942
Nordin, U., Lindholm, C.-E., Wolgast, M.: Blood flow in the rabbit tracheal mucosa under normal conditions and under the influence of tracheal intubation. Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavia. 1977a (in press)
Nordin, U., Källskog, Ö., Lindholm, C.-E., Wolgast, M.: Transvascular fluid exchange in the tracheal mucosa. 1977b (submitted for publication)
Nordin, U., Engström, B., Jansson, B., Lindholm, C.-E.: Surface structure and vascular anatomy of the tracheal wall under normal conditions and after intubation. Acta oto-laryng. (Stockh.) Suppl. 1977c
Pearson, F. G., Andrews, M. J.: Detection and management of tracheal stenosis following cuffed tube tracheostomy. Ann. of Thoracic Surgery 12, 4, 359–374 (1971)
Pernkopf, E.: Topographische Anatomie des Menschen. Wien und Innsbruck: Urban & Schwarzenberg 1952
Sobin, S. S., Frasher, W. G., Tremer, H. M., Hadley, G. G.: The microcirculation of the tracheal mucosa. Angiology 14, 165–170 (1963)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This work was sponsored by the Swedish Medical Research Council, Project No. B75-17X-4259-02
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Nordin, U., Lindholm, CE. The vessels of the rabbit trachea and ischemia caused by cuff pressure. Arch Otorhinolaryngol 215, 11–24 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00463187
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00463187