Spinal Cord: Blood Supply

Question 1

Atrial blood supply

Answer 1

1. Anterior spinal artery
2. Posterior spinal arteries
3. Radicular spinal arteries

Question 2

Anterior spinal artery origin

Answer 2

One median trunk formed by union of 2 anterior spinal arteries
Each arises inside skull from 4th part of vertebral artery

Question 3

Anterior spinal artery end

Answer 3

Leaves skull trough foramen magnum and continues down along anterior median fissure of spinal cord

Question 4

Anterior spinal arterial supply

Answer 4

Supplies:
1. Anterior 2/3 of spinal cord (ventral and lateral horns, anterior and most lateral white funiculi) by central branches

Question 5

Anterior spinal artery and posterior spinal arteries anastomoses

Answer 5

Anastomose together around conus medullaris

Question 6

Posterior spinal arteries origin

Answer 6

2 arteries each arises inside skull 4th part of vertebral artery or its posterior inferior cerebellar branch

Question 7

Posterior spinal arteries end

Answer 7

Leaves skull through foramen magnum and continues down along dorsal spinal nerve roots

Question 8

Posterior spinal arteries supply

Answer 8

Supply posterior 1/3 of spinal cord (dorsal horns and posterior white funiculi)

Question 9

Radicular spinal arteries

Answer 9

Many transverse arteries, arising from:
1. Vertebral arteries (in neck)
2. Posterior intercostal arteries (in thorax)
3. Lumbar arteries (in abdomen)
4. Lateral sacral arteries (in pelvis) on both sides

Question 10

Radicular spinal arteries end

Answer 10

Enter vertebral canal through intervertebral foramina dividing into anterior and posterior branches running along ventral and dorsal spinal nerve roots

Question 11

Radicular spinal arteries supply

Answer 11

They are main blood supply source to spinal cord lower 1/3

Question 12

Radicular spinal arteries

Answer 12

Anastomose with anterior and posterior spinal arteries
The one supplying lumbar enlargement is very large (arteria radicularus magna)

Question 13

Venous drainage

Answer 13

6 longitudinal venous channels (Anteromedian, Posteromedian, right and left anterolateral, and right and left posterolateral) which are drained by Radicular veins into internal vertebral venous plexus in epidural space