View source for Anterior spinal artery

{{Infobox Artery |
  Name        = {{PAGENAME}} |
  Latin       = arteria spinalis anterior |
  GraySubject = 148 |
  Image       = Circle_of_Willis_en_svg.png |
  Caption     = Arteries of the [[brain]], [[brain stem]] and upper [[spinal cord]] ('''anterior spinal artery'''  at bottom) |
  BranchFrom  = [[vertebral artery|vertebral arteries]] |
  BranchTo    = |
  Vein        = [[anterior spinal veins]] |
  Supplies    = |
  MeshName    = |
  MeshNumber  = |
  DorlandsPre = a_61 |
  DorlandsSuf = 12156004  |
}}


{{SI}}

{{CMG}}
__NOTOC__


==Overview==

In [[human anatomy]], the '''anterior spinal artery''' is the [[blood vessel]] that supplies the anterior portion of the [[spinal cord]].  It arises from branches of the [[vertebral artery|vertebral arteries]] and is supplied by the [[anterior segmental medullary artery|anterior segmental medullary arteries]], including the [[artery of Adamkiewicz]], and courses along the anterior aspect of the spinal cord.  

The anterior spinal artery is a small branch, which arises near the termination of the vertebral, and, descending in front of the [[medulla oblongata]], unites with its fellow of the opposite side at the level of the [[foramen magnum]]. 

One of these vessels is usually larger than the other, but occasionally they are about equal in size.

The single trunk, thus formed, descends on the front of the [[medulla spinalis]], and is reinforced by a succession of small branches which enter the [[vertebral canal]] through the [[intervertebral foramina]]; these branches are derived from the vertebral and the ascending cervical of the inferior thyroid in the neck; from the [[intercostals]] in the [[thorax]]; and from the [[lumbar]], [[iliolumbar artery]] and [[lateral sacral arteries]] in the [[abdomen]] and [[pelvis]]. 

They unite, by means of ascending and descending branches, to form a single anterior median artery, which extend as far as the lower part of the medulla spinalis, and is continued as a slender twig on the [[filum terminale]]. 

This vessel is placed in the [[pia mater]] along the [[anterior median fissure]]; it supplies that membrane, and the substance of the medulla spinalis, and sends off branches at its lower part to be distributed to the cauda equina.

==Disorders==
Disruption of the anterior spinal cord leads to bilateral disruption of the [[corticospinal tract]], causing motor deficits, and bilateral disruption of the [[spinothalamic tract]], causing sensory deficits in the form of pain/temperature sense loss. See also [[Medial medullary syndrome]]

==See also==
* [[Anterior spinal artery syndrome]]

==Additional images==
<gallery>
 Image:Gray516.png|The arteries of the base of the brain.
</gallery>

==External links==
*Yoshioka K, Niinuma H, Ohira A, Nasu K, Kawakami T, Sasaki M, Kawazoe K. MR angiography and CT angiography of the artery of Adamkiewicz: noninvasive preoperative assessment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm. Radiographics. 2003 Sep-Oct;23(5):1215-25. PMID 12975511 [http://radiographics.rsnajnls.org/cgi/content/figsonly/23/5/1215 Full Text] 
*[http://radiographics.rsnajnls.org/content/vol23/issue5/images/large/g03se12c1a.jpeg Drawing of the anterior spinal artery] 
*[http://www.frca.co.uk/images/spinal-cord4.jpg Horizontal view of blood supply to the spinal cord]
* {{RocheLexicon|13048.000-1}}
* [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/bv.fcgi?rid=spinalcord.figgrp.220 Diagram] at nih.gov

{{Gray's}}
{{Arteries of head and neck}}


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[[Category:Arteries]]
[[Category:Anatomy]]
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