Vascular Anatomy of the Spinal Cord

Armin Thron is professor of Neuroradiology. Until March 2010 he was the Head of the Department of Neuroradiology at the University Clinic and Technical University Aachen, Germany. From 1996 until 1999 he was the President of the German Society of Neuroradiology and from 1996 until 2002 he was the President of the Professional Association of German Neuroradiologists. Prof. Thorn has a special interest in spinal diseases and vascular diseases of the spinal cord. He is author of various textbook contributions concerning mainly diagnostic and interventional neuroradiology.

I. Introduction.- II. Historical Background.- III. Applied Methods.- Anatomical Methods.- IV. Own Investigations.- V. Vascular Anatomy of the Spinal Cord and Spine.- A. Arterial blood supply: Embryology.- Segmental Supply to the Spine and Spinal Cord.-Extra- and Intraspinal Extradural Anastomoses.- The Spinal Branch.- Radicular and Radiculomedullary arteries.- Superficial Arteries of the Spinal Cord.- Intrinsic Arterial Systems.- Arterial Territories of Supply.- Arterio-arterial Anastomoses.- Special Features and Variations of the Arterial Supply Depending on Regions.- Spinal Cord Arteries in Space-occupying Lesions.- Discussion of Anatomical and Hemodynamical Aspects Concerning Arterial Supply.- B Venous Drainage: Intrinsic Veins.- Superficial Veins.- Transmedullary Venous Anastomoses.- Special Features and Variations of Venous Drainage Depending on Regions.- Radiculomedullary Veins and the Reflux-impeding Transdural Course.- Extradural Venous Spaces and the Extraspinal Venous System.- Special Features and Variations of Venous Drainage Depending on Regions.- Discussion of Anatomical and Hemodynamical Aspects Concerning Venous Drainage.- VI. Clinical applications.- Evaluation of Spinal Cord Angiograms in Normal and Pathological Conditions. Exemplary Cases.- Frequent pitfalls in diagnostic imaging of spinal cord blood vessels.- References.