Thoracolumbar spinal cord (anterior two-thirds)
Territory · Anterior 2/3 of cord Lower two-thirds
The anterior two-thirds of the thoracolumbar cord (anterior horns, corticospinal and spinothalamic tracts) is supplied by the anterior spinal artery, which below the cervical region depends on segmental radicular feeders from the aorta, above all the artery of Adamkiewicz.
Traced from the start
- Descending thoracic aorta
- Posterior intercostal arteries (3rd–11th)
- Artery of Adamkiewicz (great anterior radiculomedullary artery)
- Thoracolumbar spinal cord (anterior two-thirds)
Detail
- Supplies
- Anterior horns, corticospinal and spinothalamic tracts of the lower two-thirds of the cord
- Not supplied
- Dorsal columns, fed by the paired posterior spinal arteries with many small feeders
When it goes wrong
Interruption of the anterior spinal artery supply during aortic surgery
Paraplegia with dissociated sensory loss: pain and temperature lost, joint position and vibration intact
Practise this structure
1 question in the bank tagged Arterial Supply.