The microangiographic pattern of the rotator cuff of the dog.

The spontaneous degeneration of the human rotator cuff seems to have mechanical and nutritive causes. Until now it was not known whether other species without an acromion had a vascularization of the rotator tendons which is similar to that of man. We therefore investigated the rotator cuff of dogs microangiographically. The results show a characteristic vascular pattern in each of the rotator tendons which is similar to that of man. Most important is the fact that the supraspinatus tendon shows an area of hypovascularity close to its insertion. Thus, the dog may be used for experimental purposes relating to the rotator cuff.