Vascular Anatomy of the Spinal Cord

I. Introduction.- II. Historical Background.- III. Applied Methods.- Anatomical Methods.- IV. Own Investigations.- V. Vascular Anatomy of the Spinal Cord and Spine.- A. Arterial blood supply: Embryology.- Segmental Supply to the Spine and Spinal Cord.-Extra- and Intraspinal Extradural Anastomoses.- The Spinal Branch.- Radicular and Radiculomedullary arteries.- Superficial Arteries of the Spinal Cord.- Intrinsic Arterial Systems.- Arterial Territories of Supply.- Arterio-arterial Anastomoses.- Special Features and Variations of the Arterial Supply Depending on Regions.- Spinal Cord Arteries in Space-occupying Lesions.- Discussion of Anatomical and Hemodynamical Aspects Concerning Arterial Supply.- B Venous Drainage: Intrinsic Veins.- Superficial Veins.- Transmedullary Venous Anastomoses.- Special Features and Variations of Venous Drainage Depending on Regions.- Radiculomedullary Veins and the Reflux-impeding Transdural Course.- Extradural Venous Spaces and the Extraspinal Venous System.- Special Features and Variations of Venous Drainage Depending on Regions.- Discussion of Anatomical and Hemodynamical Aspects Concerning Venous Drainage.- VI. Clinical applications.- Evaluation of Spinal Cord Angiograms in Normal and Pathological Conditions. Exemplary Cases.- Frequent pitfalls in diagnostic imaging of spinal cord blood vessels.- References.