Posterior Perspective of the Blood Vessels of the Spinal Cord

Description

Posterior anatomy of the male spinal cord is presented with the vertebral column opened to emphasize vessels tracking along the dorsal surface of the cord and within the vertebral canal. Paired posterior spinal arteries run longitudinally near the posterolateral sulci, linked segmentally by radiculopial branches that accompany the dorsal roots through the intervertebral foramina, while a midline posterior spinal vein and a plexiform network course superficially over the dorsal funiculus. Vertebral bodies and laminae form the osseous corridor, with intervertebral discs separating levels and framing the segmental entry points. Orientation is clear. A posterior perspective matters because the vascular supply to the dorsal columns and dorsal horns depends heavily on these posterior spinal arteries and their anastomoses, territories that can be compromised during posterior approaches to the spine or by radiculomedullary artery interruption. Surgeons navigating laminectomy, intradural tumor exposure, or dorsal root entry zone procedures must respect radicular vessels and the pial venous network to limit cord ischemia and venous congestion. The relationship between segmental vessels and foraminal anatomy also helps explain watershed vulnerability and why thoracic levels may tolerate hypotension poorly. Use this plate in neuroanatomy and spinal cord teaching to contrast posterior spinal arterial territories with the anterior spinal artery distribution, and in operative atlases or CME materials covering posterior decompression, dural opening, and intradural dissection. It also suits discussions of spinal dural arteriovenous fistula, venous hypertensive myelopathy, and iatrogenic vascular injury during instrumented fusion planning. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.