Vascular Supply to the Spinal Cord

Anteriorly there is the ASA in the midline

Pasteriorly there are two posterior spinal arteries foff midline.

Vertebral artery

Gives radicular branches to the spinal cord

Intracranial vertebral arteries give branches that merge to form the top of the ASA.

Ascending Cervical

Branch of thyrocervical trunk

Dorsal Cervical

Branch of the costocervical trunk

Inservice Question (2009)

Q: Which of the following is TRUE regarding the artery of Adamkiewicz?

A:

A. It supplies the posterior spinal cord.

B. It usually enters the spinal canal from the left side.

The artery of Adamkiewicz is left-sided approximately 75% of the time.

C. It arises from the supreme intercostal artery.

D. It is visualized by catheter angiography but not by CTA or MRA.

E. A hair-pin turn of this artery indicates mass effect on the spinal cord.