Blood vessels supplying the musculotendinous region of tendons, including i
nterfibrillar connective tissue, represent a parallel vascular network to t
hat supplying muscle fibers, Reciprocal control by vasomodulators and neura
l input determines relative flow in each network, and therefore relative su
pply of nutrients and hormones. Vessels supplying the tendon support fat ce
lls and may function as a non-nutritive network within muscle groups to reg
ulate resting muscle energy metabolism and to act as a flow reservoir for n
utrient delivery in exercise.