Blood vessel formation during distraction osteogenesis 63 Chapter 3 Formation of New Bone during Vertical Distraction Osteogenesis of the Human Mandible is related to the Presence of Blood Vessels L. R. Amir 1 , A. G. Becking 2 , A. Jovanovic 3 , F.B.T. Perdijk 4 , V. Everts 1 , A.L.J.J Bronckers 1 Clinical Oral Implants Research (2006) 17: 410-416 Key words: angiogenesis, vascular histomorphometry, distraction rate, anterior mandible, distraction osteogenesis 1 Department of Oral Cell Biology, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), Universiteit van Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands 2 Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Oral Pathology, Vrije Universiteit Medical Center, ACTA, Amsterdam, The Netherlands 3 Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Alkmaar Medical Center, The Netherlands 4 Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Gelderse Vallei Hospital, Ede, The Netherlands