G4iii: Spinal cord blood flow

Anatomy

Arterial

  • Anterior spinal a.
    • From union of vertebral arteries
    • Run in the anteromedial fissure
    • Supplies 2/3 cross section SC
  • Posterior spinal a.
    • From posterior inf. Cerebellar a.
    • Supplies 1/3 cross section SC

Anterior & posterior spinal a. supported by segmental medullary arteries and radicular arteries

  • Segmental medullary a.
    • Derived from spinal a. branches of cervical, IC & lumbar arteries
    • Located where blood supply requirement is greater → cervical & lumbosacral
  • Radicular a.
    • Small, supply nerve roots

Venous

  • 3 anterior & 3 posterior spinal v.
  • Drain into radicular veins
  • Drain into venous plexus of epidural space
Epidural Space

Regulation

  • Limited info 2° difficulty with measurement
  • GREY MATTER → 60mL/100g/min
  • WHITE MATTER → 15mL/100g/min
  • Autoregulated similar to CBF between MAP 60 – 120mmHg