Interaction between metabolism and flow in tendon and muscle.

Blood vessels supplying the musculotendinous region of tendons, including interfibrillar connective tissue, represent a parallel vascular network to that supplying muscle fibers. Reciprocal control by vasomodulators and neural input determines relative flow in each network, and therefore relative supply of nutrients and hormones. Vessels supplying the tendon support fat cells and may function as a non-nutritive network within muscle groups to regulate resting muscle energy metabolism and to act as a flow reservoir for nutrient delivery in exercise.