Abstract
The purpose of our research was to study the micro-architecture of the rat femoral head prepared by the corrosion casting method in comparison with haematoxylin-eosin preparation and the transparent preparation. Stereoscopic architecture of the microvasculature in the adult rat femoral head was well demonstrated when studied with the Scanning electron microscope(SEM) of vascular cast. The capillary network arrangement of the metaphysis and the epiphysis showed a lobular architecture. The lobules were interconnected with each other by a few capillaries. Vascular architecture of the epiphysis and the metaphysis separated at the growth plate. Several types of loop formations were demonstrated in the metaphysis faced with the growth plate as well as in the articular surface of the epiphysis. We observed various types of the loop formation. The most common one was the simple loop without collateral circulation, but complex loops with collateral circulation were also observed. In conclusion, it is considered that these are relatively independent of lobular vascular aggregation of the epiphysis and the metaphysis; no vessels in the growth plate and various types of capillary loop formations play an important role in growth of the bone, especially in progression of avascular necrosis.