The arterial supply of the thoracic and lumbar spine in newborns

The major arteries supplying the vertebral column are definite. The branching arteries of these trunks are variable. The posterior intercostal arteries and the lumbar arteries have an ascending, descending or horizontal course. In accordance with the literature, we found large, arched anastomoses between the rami ascendentes and the rami descendentes arising from the rami canalis vertebralis anteriores on the dorsal plane of the vertebral bodies. There are also nearly horizontal junctions between the rr. ascendentes of both sides. We found junctions on the front of the thoracolumbar vertebral column at the end of the arteries. On the dorsal plane of the vertebral body 2 arteriae centrales posteriores originate from the rr. ascendentes. They run to the centre of the vertebral body. On the ventrolateral plane of the vertebral body 2 or 3 aa. centrales anteriores can be found. These 4 or 5 arteries join in the middle of the vertebral body. The blood supply of the thoracal and lumbar vertebral bodies does not differ essentially. Vessels come especially from lateral in the intervertebral disc. We suggest to name such a vessel ramus disci intervertebralis. The posterior longitudinal ligament is mainly supplied by the junction between the rr. ascendentes of both sides and the anterior longitudinal ligament by the aa. nutriciae in the thoracal and the lumbar area.