Vasa vasorum

Changed by Arlene Campos, 7 May 2024
Disclosures - updated 9 Jun 2023: Nothing to disclose

Updates to Article Attributes

Body was changed:

The vasa vasorum represents the supporting microvasculature of the larger calibre arteries and veins of the body.

Gross anatomy

The vasa vasorum has two subtypes in humans 2,3:

  • arterial vasa vasorum: arises from various arteries based on anatomical location (e.g. intercostal arteries for descending thoracic aorta) to supply the tunica adventitia and outer media

  • venous vasa vasorum: functions as venous drainage for large vessels into neighbouring veins

Sites that vasa vasorum occur 2-5:

History and etymology

Vaso vasorum translates to "the vessel of vessels" in Latin. First described by English physician Thomas Willis in 1678, it was initially termed "vasa arteriosa" by Dutch anatomist Frederik Ruysch in 1696. The term "vasa vasorum" was coined by the German physician Christian Ludwig in 1739, now adopted in contemporary literature 1.

Related pathology

Although the presence of vasa vasorum has been established for centuries, their significance in various diseases has only been realised in recent decades. Pathologies of note are 6,7:

  • -</ul><h4>History and etymology</h4><p>Vaso vasorum translates to "the vessel of vessels" in Latin. First described by English physician <strong>Thomas Willis</strong> in 1678, it was initially termed "vasa arteriosa" by Dutch anatomist <strong>Frederik Ruysch</strong> in 1696. The term "vasa vasorum" was coined by the German physician <strong>Christian Ludwig</strong> in 1739, now adopted in contemporary literature <sup>1</sup>.</p><h4>Related pathology</h4><p>Although the presence of vasa vasorum has been established for centuries, their significance in various diseases has only been realised in recent decades. Pathologies of note are <sup>6,7</sup>:</p><ul>
  • +</ul><h4>History and etymology</h4><p>Vaso vasorum translates to "the vessel of vessels" in Latin. First described by English physician <strong>Thomas Willis</strong> in 1678, it was initially termed "vasa arteriosa" by Dutch anatomist <strong>Frederik Ruysch</strong> in 1696. The term "vasa vasorum" was coined by the German physician <strong>Christian Ludwig</strong> in 1739, now adopted in contemporary literature <sup>1</sup>.</p><h4>Related pathology</h4><p>Although the presence of vasa vasorum has been established for centuries, their significance in various diseases has only been realised in decades. Pathologies of note are <sup>6,7</sup>:</p><ul>

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