Posterior spinal arteries

Radiopaedia • CC-by-nc-sa 3.0 • de

The posterior spinal arteries are a pair of arteries that supply the respective ipsilateral grey and white posterior columns of the spinal cord.

Gross anatomy

The posterior spinal arteries arise from either the posterior inferior cerebellar or vertebral arteries (V3 or V4 segments) and runs the entire posterolateral aspect of the spinal cord. Its origin may be intra-dural or extra-dural .

It descends along the posterolateral surface of the spinal cord. Along its course, it is reinforced by other branches that enter the spinal canal via the intervertebral foraminae. Although communication exists at multiple levels, the supply of the cord can be thought of as occurring in three relatively separate sections like the anterior spinal artery, supplied by somewhat predictable feeders:

C1 - T3
- anterior segmental medullary arteries (branches of the vertebral artery) at ~C3
- ascending cervical artery (the branch of the inferior thyroid artery) at ~C6-C7
T3 - T7
- posterior intercostal arteries at ~T7
T8 - conus
- artery of Adamkiewicz usually between T9 to T12
- cone artery aka artery of Desproges-Gotteron (branch from iliolumbar arteries)

The posterior spinal artery often anastomoses with the contralateral posterior spinal artery, and may received anastomoses with the anterior spinal artery via a pial plexus that encases the cord.

See spinal cord blood supply.