Spinal Blood Supply

Written by Keith Bridwell, MD; Reviewed by Mary Rodts, DNP

Peer Reviewed

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 and Its Importance
Blood contains plasma (fluid), red blood cells (erythrocytes), white bloods cells, and platelets.

Plasma – Cell Nourishment
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.

Oxygen – Red Blood Cells
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.

Immunity – White Blood Cells
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.

Clotting – Platelets
Platelets control bleeding from injury by creating a clot, or plug through a series of chemical reactions.

The spinal column is served by the body’s elaborate system of arteries and veins, as outlined in the following tables.

Arteries Supplying Spinal Column

Arteries	Region
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

Circle of Willis
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.

Veins Supplying Spinal Column

Veins	Region/Comment
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

Arterial Branches of the Spine

Artery	Spinal Region	Source – Branch From
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

Venous Branches of the Spine

Vein	Spinal Region	Source(s)
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