Blood Supply to the Spinal Cord

Question 1

What is the Artery of Adamkiewicz?

Answer 1

Major anterior radicular artery

Originates usually at lower thoracic or upper lumbar levels (most commonly T7 but 75% arise between T9 - T12)

Most frequently on the left side (70 - 80%)

Joins the anterior spinal artery

Question 2

Where do radicular arteries arise from?

Answer 2

originate from segmented branches off of the aorta (i.e. intercostals, ascending cervical, etc.)

Question 3

What is the entrance of the radicular artery into the spinal canal?

Answer 3

intervertebral foramina

Question 4

What is the vascular supple to the dorsal root ganglion?

Answer 4

Posterior Radicular Arteries

Question 5

What regions of the spinal cord are especially vulnerable to ischemia?

Answer 5

border/transition areas especially T1-T4 and L1