The vascular anatomy of the dorsal part of the caudal ribs in the dog. A microangiographic study with special reference to the microvascular free transfer of living rib grafts.

The arterial blood supply to the head, neck and tubercle of the caudal ribs in the adult dog was studied by means of microangiography. While the tubercle and the neck are supplied solely by medullary branches of the main nutrient artery, the rib head receives an additional supply via two groups of epiphyseal arteries. This vascular pattern is discussed with special reference to the free microvascular transfer of composite posterior rib grafts.