Atlas of Human Anatomy by Netter

[Plate 167, Veins of the Vertebral Column: Vertebral Veins]

Anterior spinal artery

Is a single artery running in ventromedian fissure

Arising from branches of the vertebral arteries (with contributions from the ascending cervical, deep cervical, intercostal, lumbar, and

sacral arteries)

Supplies the anterior two thirds of the spinal cord and vertebral bodies

Posterior spinal arteries

Are paired, longitudinal arteries arising from vertebral or posterior inferior cerebellar arteries

Supply posterior one third of the spinal cord and vertebral bodies

Radicular arteries

Are dorsal and ventral arteries arising from ascending cervical, deep cervical, intercostal, lumbar, and sacral arteries

Supply the nerve roots (called segmental arteries if they reach the anterior or posterior spinal arteries)

Great anterior segmental artery (of Adamkiewicz)

Occurs on the left side in 65% of individuals

Contributes to two thirds of the circulation to the inferior spinal cord

Veins: Usually 3 anterior and 3 posterior longitudinal spinal veins with tributaries from the posterior medullary and radicular veins. They

drain into the valveless vertebral venous plexus.

Vertebral venous plexus is continuous with the cranial dural venous sinuses and contains no valves

Internal vertebral plexus (lying in the extradural space) drains the spinal cord

External vertebral plexus connects with azygos vein, superior and inferior vena cavae

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
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Sympathetic NS: catabolic system for fight or flight

T1-L2/3 (thoracolumbar) levels

Presynaptic (preganglionic) neurons have cell bodies located in the intermediolateral cell columns of the spinal cord (T1-L2 only)

and utilize acetylcholine (Ach) as their neurotransmitter and synapse in para- or prevertebral ganglia

Postsynaptic (postganglionic) neurons have cell bodies in the paravertebral and prevertebral ganglia

Paravertebral ganglia linked to form right and left sympathetic chains (superior, middle and inferior cervical ganglia, T1-S5, ganglion

impar)

Paravertebral ganglia attached to spinal nerves by white (T1-L2) and grey (C1-Co) rami communicantes