OBSERVATIONS ON THE VENOUS DRAINAGE OF THE HUMAN VERTEBRAL BODY

1. Because of the importance of nutrition of the intervertebral disc in relation to its disorders, a detailed study has been made of the neighbouring vasculature of the vertebral body. 2. This has been made possible by an injection technique involving prevention of leakage by freezing with liquid nitrogen. 3. By this method capillary beds are found in the vertebral end-plate cartilage in the adult. A very fine subchondral post-capillary venous network has been demonstrated draining by short vertical tributaries to a much coarser horizontal collecting vein system connecting with the familiar basivertebral system. 4. This arrangement may be of special importance in the nutrition of the intervertebral disc.