Anterior cervical spine blood supply: a cadaveric study

Area of Science:

• Anatomy
• Vascular Surgery
• Spinal Surgery

Background:

• Anterior cervical spinal surgery can lead to anterior bone loss.
• The vascular supply to the anterior sub-axial cervical vertebrae (C3-C7) is not fully understood.
• This knowledge gap may impact surgical outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To delineate the origin of vessels supplying the anterior sub-axial cervical vertebrae (C3-C7).
• To understand the potential influence of these vessels on anterior bone loss post-surgery.

Main Methods:

• Cadaveric dissection of ten adult human necks.
• Latex perfusion of subclavian, common carotid, and vertebral arteries.
• Identification and tracing of nutrient vessels and their foraminae.

Main Results:

• Anterior nutrient vessels originate from the thyro-cervical trunk.
• Vessels form a leash in the pre-vertebral fascia over the longus coli muscles.
• Vessel and foramina number decrease with increasing cervical level; distribution follows vessel course.

Conclusions:

• Nutrient vessels enter anteriorly from a pre-vertebral fascial leash.
• The primary origin is the ascending cervical artery, with possible transverse cervical artery contribution.
• This vascular anatomy is key to understanding anterior bone loss after surgery.