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The Spine / Blood Supply of the Spine
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The function of the vascular system is to nourish each cell in the body. This includes the vertebral column, spinal cord, neural elements, muscles, and other related structures.
Blood contains plasma (fluid), red blood cells (erythrocytes), white bloods cells, and platelets.
Plasma, the liquid part of blood, makes up 90% of blood and contains water, salts, hormones, and proteins. It delivers proteins, fats, minerals, and lipids to every cell in the body. Cells cannot reproduce or repair damage without nutrient replenishment.
One of the primary benefits cells derive from blood is oxygen. Cells need oxygen to burn glucose for energy. This oxygen comes from the red blood cells. Oxygenated blood is pumped from the heart via arteries and deoxygenated blood returns to the heart via veins. The Pulmonary Artery is an exception. It carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs where it is reoxygenated. The Pulmonary Vein then carries the oxygenated blood back to the heart from the lungs. The oxygenated blood is then circulated throughout the body.
White cells are the primary components of the immune system and fight against infection and bacterial toxins. There are many types of white blood cells; neutrophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes, basophils, and monocytes – each playing a different role. Further, antibodies are transported via the circulatory system.
Platelets control bleeding from injury by creating a clot, or plug through a series of chemical reactions.
More information regarding the blood and its constituents can be found here.
The spinal column is served by the body’s elaborate system of arteries and veins, as shown in the following diagram and as outlined in the following tables.
| Vertebral |
Cervical (Head) |
| Basilar |
Basilar Cervical (Head) |
| Carotid |
Cervical/Thoracic |
| Thoracic Aorta |
Thoracic cavity |
| Intercostal |
Thoracic wall |
| Spinal Branch |
Thoracic/Lumbar |
| Anterior Spinal |
Thoracic/Lumbar |
| Abdominal Aorta |
Thoracic/Lumbar cavities |
| Posterior Branch |
Thoracic to Sacrum |
| Lumbar Segmental |
Lumbar |
| Left Common Iliac |
Lumbar/pelvic organs, legs |
| Right Common Iliac |
Lumbar/pelvic organs, legs |
| Segmental |
Lumbar to Sacrum |
| Middle Sacral |
Lumbosacral |
| Iliolumbar |
Lumbosacral |
| Internal Iliac |
Lumbosacral |
The Vertebral and Internal Carotid Arteries provide blood to the brain. These arteries give off branches that form a circle in the region of the pituitary gland. If the other two arteries are blocked, the blood vessels in the Circle of Willis provide an alternate way to feed blood to the brain.
| Internal Jugular |
Cervical – returns blood from the head |
| External Jugular |
Cervical – returns blood from the head |
| Superior Vena Cava |
Cervical/Upper Thoracic Returns blood from upper body to heart |
| Thoracic Segmental |
Thoracic |
| Inferior Vena Cava |
Thoracic/Lumbosacral Returns blood from lower body to heart |
| Azygous |
Lumbar – Returns blood from lower body when inferior vena cava obstructed |
| Hemiazygous |
Lumbar |
| Lumbar Segmental |
Lumbar |
| Left Common Iliac |
Lumbar |
| Right Common Iliac |
Lumbar |
| Batson’s Plexus |
Lumbar – Valveless vein, provides alternate route for blood return to heart |
| Common Iliac |
Lumbosacral |
| Anterior Radicular |
Meninges
Spinal Cord |
Vertebral
Posterior Intercostal
Lumbar
Lateral Sacral |
| Anterior Spinal |
Meninges
Spinal Cord |
Vertebral
Posterior Intercostal
Lumbar
Lateral Sacral |
| Aortic Arch |
Entire Body Except Heart |
Ascending Aorta |
| Basilar |
Cranial Nerves
Cerebellum |
Vertebral |
| Brachiocephalic Trunk |
Right side of head, neck, upper limb, chest wall |
Aortic Arch |
| Cerebral Arterial Circle |
Brain – Midbrain |
Posterior Cerebral
Anterior Cerebral |
| Common Carotid |
Head – upper neck |
Brachiocephalic Trunk
Aortic Arch |
| External Carotid |
Upper neck |
Common Carotid |
| Great Anterior Radicular |
Lower Spinal Cord |
Lower Posterior Intercostal |
| Internal Carotid |
Brain |
Common Carotid |
| Lateral Sacral |
Sacrum
Sacral Nerve Roots
Meninges |
Internal Iliac |
| Lumbar |
Spinal Cord
Vertebral Column |
Abdominal Aorta |
| Median Sacral |
Sacrum |
Abdominal Aorta |
| Middle Meningeal |
Dura Mater |
Maxillary |
| Posterior Radicular |
Meninges, Spinal Cord |
Vertebral
Posterior Intercostal
Lumbar
Lateral Sacral |
| Posterior Spinal |
Spinal Cord |
Posterior Inferior Cerebellar
Vertebral Posterior Intercostal
Lumbar
Lateral Sacral |
| Subclavian |
Neck
Brain
Spinal Cord |
Brachiocephalic
Aortic Arch |
| Vertebral |
Spinal Cord
Neck |
Subclavian |
| Anterior Jugular |
Neck |
Submental |
| Azygos |
Chest Wall |
Lumbar
Subcosta
Posterior Intercostal |
| Brachiocephalic |
Head
Neck
Upper Limbs |
Subclavian
Internal Jugular
Vertebra |
| Cavernous Sinus |
Brain |
Superior Ophthalmic
Middle Cerebral |
| External Jugular |
Head
Neck |
Posterior Auricular
Posterior External Jugular
Transverse Cervical
Anterior Jugular |
| External Vertebral Plexus |
Vertebral Column
Vertebral Muscles |
Internal Vertebral Plexus |
| Hemiazygos |
Lower Chest Wall |
Lumbar
Subcostal |
| Internal Vertebral Plexus |
Spinal Cord
Meninges
Vertebral Column |
External Vertebral Plexus |
| Posterior Intercostal |
Spinal Cord
Vertebra
Ribs |
Spinal Tributary
Posterior Tributary |
| Pterygoid Plexus |
Meninges |
Middle Meningeal |
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