Artery of Adamkiewicz
Encyclopedia
In human anatomy
, the Artery of Adamkiewicz is the largest anterior segmental medullary artery.
It has several other names, including:
It typically arises from a left posterior intercostal artery, which branches from the aorta
, and supplies the lower two thirds of the spinal cord
via the anterior spinal artery
.
In a study of approximately 70 people that examined the spinal cord
's blood supply it was found that:
In 75% of people, the artery of Adamkiewicz originates on the left side of the aorta between the T8 and L1 vertebral segments.
In an extensive literature review, recognition of the AKA using CT and/or MR was achieved in 466 of 555 cases (83.96%)and in 384 (83.3%) cases the AKA originated from a left intercostal artery.
When damaged or obstructed, it can result in anterior spinal artery syndrome
, with loss of urinary
and fecal continence
and impaired motor function of the legs; sensory function is often preserved to a degree.
It is important to identify the location of the artery when treating a thoracic aortic aneurysm
or a thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysm. Its location can be identified with computed tomographic angiography.
Human anatomy
Human anatomy is primarily the scientific study of the morphology of the human body. Anatomy is subdivided into gross anatomy and microscopic anatomy. Gross anatomy is the study of anatomical structures that can be seen by the naked eye...
, the Artery of Adamkiewicz is the largest anterior segmental medullary artery.
It has several other names, including:
- Adamkiewicz artery
- great radicular artery of Adamkiewicz
- major anterior segmental medullary artery
- artery of the lumbar enlargement
- great anterior radiculomedullary artery
- great anterior segmental medullary artery
It typically arises from a left posterior intercostal artery, which branches from the aorta
Aorta
The aorta is the largest artery in the body, originating from the left ventricle of the heart and extending down to the abdomen, where it branches off into two smaller arteries...
, and supplies the lower two thirds of the spinal cord
Spinal cord
The spinal cord is a long, thin, tubular bundle of nervous tissue and support cells that extends from the brain . The brain and spinal cord together make up the central nervous system...
via the anterior spinal artery
Anterior spinal artery
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 arteries and is supplied by the anterior segmental medullary arteries, including the artery of Adamkiewicz, and courses along the anterior...
.
Anatomical variation
The spinal cord vasculature has a complex and highly variable anatomy.In a study of approximately 70 people that examined the spinal cord
Spinal cord
The spinal cord is a long, thin, tubular bundle of nervous tissue and support cells that extends from the brain . The brain and spinal cord together make up the central nervous system...
's blood supply it was found that:
- The Adamkiewicz artery sometimes arises from a lumbar vessel.
- In approximately 30% of people it arises from the right side.
- One quarter of people have two large anterior segmental medullary arteries.
In 75% of people, the artery of Adamkiewicz originates on the left side of the aorta between the T8 and L1 vertebral segments.
In an extensive literature review, recognition of the AKA using CT and/or MR was achieved in 466 of 555 cases (83.96%)and in 384 (83.3%) cases the AKA originated from a left intercostal artery.
Clinical significance
"Great radicular artery of Adamkiewicz… provides the major blood supply to the lumbar and sacral cord."When damaged or obstructed, it can result in anterior spinal artery syndrome
Anterior spinal artery syndrome
Ischemia or infarction of the spinal cord in the distribution of the anterior spinal artery, which supplies the ventral two-thirds of the spinal cord and Medulla.-Causes:...
, with loss of urinary
Urinary incontinence
Urinary incontinence is any involuntary leakage of urine. It is a common and distressing problem, which may have a profound impact on quality of life. Urinary incontinence almost always results from an underlying treatable medical condition but is under-reported to medical practitioners...
and fecal continence
Fecal incontinence
Fecal incontinence is the loss of regular control of the bowels. Involuntary excretion and leaking are common occurrences for those affected. Subjects relating to defecation are often socially unacceptable, thus those affected may be beset by feelings of shame and humiliation...
and impaired motor function of the legs; sensory function is often preserved to a degree.
It is important to identify the location of the artery when treating a thoracic aortic aneurysm
Thoracic aortic aneurysm
A thoracic aortic aneurysm is an aortic aneurysm that presents primarily in the thorax.It is less common than an abdominal aortic aneurysm. However, a syphilitic aneurysm is more likely to be a thoracic aortic aneurysm than an abdominal aortic aneurysm....
or a thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysm. Its location can be identified with computed tomographic angiography.
External links
- A video showing the Adamkiewicz artery can be seen here: AKA finding using OsiriX