Pulmonary circulation--vertebral venous interconnections in the chickens.

Injections of India ink colored blood, latex, and plastic followed by study of corrosion casts and dissections were used to determine the interconnections of the vertebral venous system and pulmonary circulation in the chicken. Multiple, minute connections are found to the intercostal veins, small mesenteric veins and others connected to the vertebral venous system. Thus, blood can flow in quantities between the vertebral venous system and the pulmonary circulation depending upon pressure gradients.