Anterior Spinal Artery

VESSEL PATHWAY

The anterior spinal artery is a branch off of the vertebral artery.

Aorta → Brachiocephalic (right side only) → Subclavian → Vertebral Artery (branches both sides combine) → Anterior Spinal Artery

Anatomical location of the anterior spinal artery (source)
Anatomical location of the anterior spinal artery (source)
FUNCTION

This artery perfuses the anterior portion of the spinal cord! The majority of the spinal cord is perfused by the anterior spinal artery (with the exception of the dorsal column which falls in the posterior spinal artery territory).

Most everything in the spinal cord is perfused by the anterior spinal artery except the dorsal columns (source)
Most everything in the spinal cord is perfused by the anterior spinal artery except the dorsal columns (source)
CAUSES OF INJURY

Burst fracture of vertebra/vertebral compression that can be caused by various contexts:

  • Falling from a height
  • Motor vehicle collision
CLINICAL PRESENTATION OF INJURY

Anterior cord syndrome: this is a very distinct clinical presentation that has 3 major features below the level of the injury (below the level of the injury):

  1. Loss of motor function 
  2. Loss of pain/temperature sensation
  3. Preserved light touch/vibratory sensation

 

Page updated: 08.03.2016