The fine structure of the arteriovenous anastomosis and its nerve supply in the human nasal respiratory mucosa

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Abstract
The fine structure of the arteriovenous anastomosis was investigated in the normal human nasal mucosa. The tissues were fixed in 2% osmic acid solution, embedded in Epon and stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate solutions.It was found that the endothelial basement membrane of the arterial segment of the anastomosis was discontinuous. The anastomosing artery possessed subendothelial cushions of longitudinal smooth musculature which expanded into a thick uniform layer before the artery joined the vein. The fine morphology of these muscle cells did not show epitheloid modification. An elastic membrane of a peculiar structure separated the subendothelial musculature from that of the tunica media. The membrane was continuous with the internal elastic membrane of the proximal artery and with the adventitial elastic mesh of the vein. The anastomosis was supplied by a non‐myelinated periarterial nerve plexus which contained cholinergic and adrenergic axons characterized by agranular and fine granular vesicles respectively. The wall of the vein was devoid of musculature and nerves. It mainly consisted of elastic meshes interspersed with bundles of collagen fibers and occasional fibrocytes.It was suggested that the musculature of the tunica media of the artery was controlled by the cholinergic and adrenergic nerves of the autonomic system, and by the sensory nerves in the form of axons reflexes. The subendothelial musculature was controlled by agents carried in blood and was not influenced by the adventitial nerves.

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