Each segmental medullary artery is a branch of the cervical part of the

vertebral artery The vertebral arteries are major arteries An artery (plural arteries) () is a blood vessel in humans and most animals that takes blood away from the heart to one or more parts of the body (tissues, lungs, brain etc.). Most arteries carry o ...

. These small branches penetrate into the vertebral bone through small openings such as the

intervertebral foramina The intervertebral foramen (also called neural foramen, and often abbreviated as IV foramen or IVF) is a :wikt:foramen, foramen between two spinal vertebrae. Cervical vertebrae, Cervical, thoracic vertebrae, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae all ...

. These segmental arteries provide blood flow to the surface and inside the spinal canal at each segmental level. The largest anterior segmental medullary artery is also known as the artery of Adamkiewicz. They can join the

anterior spinal artery In human anatomy, the anterior spinal artery is the artery that supplies the anterior portion of the spinal cord. It arises from branches of the vertebral arteries and courses along the anterior aspect of the spinal cord. It is reinforced by sever ...

. The existence of a great posterior radiculomedullary artery has recently been confirmed by Mexican neuroanatomist Victor Hugo Pérez Pérez.

Gallery

References

Arteries of the torso {{circulatory-stub