Blood Supply to the Spinal Cord: Anatomic and Physiologic Correlations

Vascular anatomy of the spinal cord

“…It has a diameter of 0.5–1.0 mm5 and almost always arises in the thoracolumbar region, between T8 and L2 in 75% of cases 6 8–10. It has, however, been identified as superiorly as T5 and as inferiorly as L4 4. In 80% of cases, it is found in the left side.…”

“…The radiculomedullary arteries are further divided into anterior and posterior radiculomedullary arteries based on whether they supply the anterior or posterior spinal arteries, respectively (figure 2). The average number of anterior radiculomedullary arteries is 6 (range 2–14)3 4 whereas the number of posterior radiculomedullary arteries varies from 11 to 16 5…”

“…According to Djindjan, other small contributors may arise from the costocervical trunk, thyrocervical trunk and, to a lesser extent, the ascending cervical artery. The ascending cervical artery usually supplies branches to the midcervical cord (C4–C6), and the deep cervical artery supplies the segmental arteries at C7 and C8 4. The radiculomedullary arteries (feeder arteries) branch in a ‘Y’ or ‘T’ shape in the cervical region.…”

Exclusively Epidural Spinal Arteriovenous Malformation: A Short Review

“…Along its long course, additional blood supply to the ASA originates from anterior radiculomedullary arteries. Blood supply to the ASA via radiculomedullary arteries originates from three major regions: cervicothoracic, midthoracic and thoracolumbar [9][10][11][12][13]. ASA supplies the ventral surface of the medulla and the anterior two-thirds of the spinal cord [14].…”

“…More than 48% of patients with untreated AVMs of the spinal cord were confined to bed or wheelchair within 3 years of symptom onset, and complications of Short Communication Da-Ming Wang cord. The radiculomedullary arteries are further divided into anterior radiculomedullary arteries (average number is 7-8, range from 2 to 15), and posterior radiculomedullary arteries (average number is 15, range from 10 to 25) [10].…”