In human anatomy, the artery of Adamkiewicz (also arteria radicularis magna) is the largest anterior segmental medullary artery.[3] It typically arises from a left posterior intercostal artery at the level of the 9th to 12th intercostal artery, which branches from the aorta, and supplies the lower two-thirds of the spinal cord via the anterior spinal artery.[4]
Artery of Adamkiewicz | |
---|---|
Details | |
Source | abdominal aorta, posterior intercostal artery |
Branches | anterior spinal artery[2] |
Supplies | lumbar enlargement of lower spinal cord[1] |
Identifiers | |
Latin | rami spinales arteriae vertebralis |
TA2 | 4536 |
Anatomical terminology [edit on Wikidata] |
The artery is named after Albert Wojciech Adamkiewicz (August 11, 1850 – October 31, 1921), a Polish pathologist born in Żerków. It has several other names, including:
The blood supply of the spinal cord is complex and highly variable.[9] In a study of approximately 70 people that examined the spinal cord's blood supply it was found that:[4]
In 75% of people, the artery of Adamkiewicz originates on the left side of the aorta between the T8 and L1 vertebral segments.[10]
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.[11]
"Great radicular artery of Adamkiewicz… provides the major blood supply to the lumbar and sacral cord."[12]
When damaged or obstructed, it can result in a syndrome of spinal cord ischemia, similar to anterior spinal artery syndrome,[13] 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 surgically treating an aortic aneurysm to prevent damage which would result in insufficient blood supply to the spinal cord.[14] In bronchial artery embolization for treatment of massive hemoptysis, one of the most serious complications is inadvertent occlusion of the artery of Adamkiewicz.[15] Its location can be identified with computed tomographic angiography.[16]
It is named for Albert Wojciech Adamkiewicz.[17][18][19]