c. Vessels and nerves:
(i) Blood supply:
The gingival blood supply originates from blood vessels in the periodontal ligament, the marrow spaces of the alveolar process and supraperiosteal blood vessels. These vessels in turn supply major capillary plexuses that are located in the connective tissue adjacent to the oral epithelium and the junctional epithelium.
Fig. 34 (Section courtesy of Dr. D.W. Cohen): Bucco-lingual section through the
gingiva and adjacent structures on a monkey. The tissues were cleared and the vasculature
perfused with India-ink to reveal the distribution of the blood vessels. Note the
major vessels originating from the supraperiosteal region (SP) and the periodontal
ligament space (PL) that supply the capillary beds adjacent to the junctional epithelium
(A) and the oral epithelium (B).
Fig. 35 (From Rateitschak,
K.H. et al., 1989): Diagrammatic illustration of a section similar to that of Fig.
34. Note, in addition to the blood vessels from the periodontal ligament (!)
and the supraperiosteal region (3), that blood vessels from within the alveolar
process (2) also contribute to the regional blood supply.
Fig. 36 (Micrograph courtesy of Dr.
N.J. Selliseth): Scanning electron micrograph of a corrosion preparation of
gingival tissue. The blood vessels were infiltrated with resin prior to removing
the soft tissues with a corrosive reagent. The resin casts of the blood vessels were
then coated with a thin heavy metal layer prior to examination in the scanning electron
microscope. This type of preparation provides an excellent view of the densely
packed capillary loops (CL) under the oral epithelium.
(ii) Lymphatics:
The gingival tissues are supplied with lymphatic vessels that drain principally to submaxillary lymph nodes.
(iii) Nerves:
Branches of the trigeminal nerve provide sensory and proprioceptive
functions. In addition, autonomic nerve endings are associated with the vasculature.
