What the Musculoskeletal Radiologist Needs to Know About the Vascular Anatomy of the Spine and Spinal Cord

This article describes the vascular anatomy of the spine and spinal cord, highlighting key structures and anatomical variations relevant to musculoskeletal radiologists. It covers the arterial and venous drainage systems, along with examples of vascular conditions affecting the spine. Understanding the vascular anatomy of the spine and spinal cord is crucial for accurate interpretation of imaging studies and safe spinal interventional procedures. Imaging techniques for evaluating vascular pathology of the spine are discussed and compared. Understanding vascular anatomy and the most common vascular disorders will lead to an accurate diagnosis and suggest the appropriate type of study needed for further characterization and/or patient management.