Transparent Posterior Spinal Arteries, Posterior View

Description

Seen from a posterior aspect, paired posterior spinal arteries descend along the dorsolateral surface of the spinal cord, closely paralleling the posterolateral sulci and sending fine perforators toward the dorsal columns (fasciculi gracilis and cuneatus). Segmental radicular and radiculopial branches enter with the dorsal roots through the intervertebral foramina and reinforce the longitudinal channels at irregular intervals. Semi-transparent vertebral arches and spinous processes frame the cord posteriorly while keeping the intracanalar vasculature readable. The arterial plexus appears densest where pial branches anastomose around the dorsal cord. Posterior cord perfusion is often simplified in teaching, and this view corrects that by making the longitudinal arteries and their radicular inputs easy to track across multiple vertebral levels. Clinically, it supports discussions of posterior spinal artery infarction, which can follow vertebral artery dissection, aortic pathology, or iatrogenic compromise of segmental feeders and typically affects dorsal column modalities more than motor pathways. Clear separation of posterior spinal arteries from the anterior spinal artery territory helps when correlating exam findings, spinal cord syndromes, and vascular imaging. Use this illustration in neuroanatomy and spinal cord blood supply lectures, in neurosurgical and orthopedic spine texts discussing posterior approaches (laminectomy, intradural tumor exposure), or in neuroradiology teaching files that compare pial arterial patterns with MR diffusion changes. It also suits patient-facing education when explaining why posterior sensory deficits can occur after vascular injury. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.