Arteries of the vertebral column (English)

The thoracic aorta descends along the anterior surface of the vertebral bodies giving off multiple paired posterior intercostal arteries. Small precentral and periosteal branches arise directly from the posterior intercostal arteries along the anterolateral aspect of the vertebral bodies. The spinal arterial branches arise either directly from the posterior intercostal artery or from one of its major branches, the dorsal branch of the posterior intercostal artery. The segmental spinal branch travels with the spinal nerve in the intervertebral foramen towards the vertebral foramen, where it branches into postcentral (anterior), prelaminar (posterior) and radicular arteries. The postcentral and prelaminar arteries give off branches to supply the vertebral body and the lamina respectively, and anastomose with arteries of adjacent vertebral levels. The radicular arteries supply the spinal nerves and meninges of the spinal cord.