Question

‘Vasa-vasorum’ refers to
A. Jugular anastomosis
B. A network of blood vessels in an organ
C. Vessels of vessels
D. Carotid labyrinth regulating the pressure of blood vessels

Answer 1

Hint:- The term ‘Vasa-vasorum’ is a Latin word, referring to the meaning 'the vessels of the vessels'. The network of small blood vessels that connects to the walls of large blood vessels to provide nourishment, is known as vasa-vasorum. There are three different kinds of vasa-vasorum depending on the place of origin: Vasa vasorum internae, Vasa vasorum externae, and Venous vasa vasorum.

Complete Answer:-
Vasa-vasorum penetrates the outer (tunica adventitia) layer and middle (tunica media) layer almost to the inner (tunica intima) layer of the large blood vessels. The structure varies with the size, function and location of the vessels.

The ‘jugular anastomosis’ is a network of the vein that drains deoxygenated blood from brain to heart through superior vena cava. The clinical significance includes indirect venous blood pressure on the venous system.

A network of blood vessels in an organ is known as blood capillaries. Arteries and veins merge at the junction of capillaries. They are the smallest blood vessels lining with the endothelial cells.
The Vasa-vasorum is the Latin term coined to depict small blood vessels that merge with larger blood vessels meaning 'the vessels of the vessels'.

A carotid labyrinth is a vascular expansion that resides at the bifurcated junction of the common carotid artery into the internal and external carotid arteries.

**So, option “C” – “vessels of the vessels” is the correct answer.
**

Note:- In the human descending aorta, vasa-vasorum ceases to supply oxygenated blood at the level of the renal arteries to the arterial tunica media. Thus for this reason the aorta is majorly dependent on diffusion for its metabolic needs. It was also observed that the aorta is remarkably thinner below this point.