Interaction between metabolism and flow in tendon and muscle

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.