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Robotic Spine Universe

Structures · Blood vessels

Anterior spinal artery

The artery along the front of the cord, formed from branches of the two vertebral arteries.

SchematicShow in the 3D spine

What the sources say

“Branches off the left and right vertebral arteries merge into the anterior spinal artery supplying the anterior aspect of the spinal cord, found along the anterior median fissure.” Betts et al. 2022, §13.3

Connections to the rest of the body

  • Arterial supply

    Anterior spinal artery: down the front of the cord

    Branches of the two vertebral arteries join into the anterior spinal artery, which runs down the front of the cord in its midline groove.

    Betts et al. 2022, §13.3 · Show on the body

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  • Blood supply of the spinal cord

    How blood reaches the cord: one anterior and two posterior spinal arteries running its length, topped up along the way by radiculomedullary arteries from the aorta, the largest being the artery of Adamkiewicz.

  • Incomplete cord syndromes

    Why damage to one part of the cord's cross-section gives a recognisable pattern. Brown-Séquard, central cord, anterior cord and posterior cord patterns, explained from the tracts and the blood supply.

For learning only. Levels and sizes vary between people; nothing here describes a particular person or gives medical advice. Sources: Betts et al. 2022, §13.3.