Segmental medullary artery

Artery: Segmental medullary artery
1: posterior spinal vein
2: anterior spinal vein
3: posterolateral spinal vein
4: radicular (or segmental medullary) vein
5: posterior spinal arteries
6: anterior spinal artery
7: radicular (or segmental medullary) artery
Latin a. medullaris segmentalis
Branches anterior spinal artery

Each segmental medullary artery is a branch of the cervical part of the vertebral artery.[1] These small branches penetrate into the vertebral bone through small openings such as the intervertebral foramina. These segmental arteries provide blood flow to the surface and inside the spinal canal at each segmental level.

The largest anterior segmental medullary artery is also known as the artery of Adamkiewicz.

They can join the anterior spinal artery.[2]

References

  1. ^ Federative Committee on Anatomical Termi (1998). Terminologia Anatomica: International Anatomical Terminology. Thieme Stuttgart. ISBN 3-13-114361-4. 
  2. ^ Huntoon MA (2005). "Anatomy of the cervical intervertebral foramina: vulnerable arteries and ischemic neurologic injuries after transforaminal epidural injections". Pain 117 (1–2): 104–11. doi:10.1016/j.pain.2005.05.030. PMID 16055268.