Anterior Internal Vertebral Venous Plexus (Cervical; Left)
Plexus venosus vertebralis internus anterior
Read moreQuick Facts
Origin: Anterior epidural space.
Course: Posterior to the vertebral bodies in the vertebral canal.
Tributaries: Basivertebral veins.
Drainage: Vertebrae, epidural space, spinal cord, and local tissue.
Related parts of the anatomy
Origin
The anterior internal vertebral plexus arises from a network of vessels located within the vertebral canal, posterior to the vertebral bodies of all 33 vertebrae. Their main channels are located on either side of the posterior longitudinal ligament with several smaller vessels traversing the ligament.
Course
The anterior internal vertebral venous plexus is composed of valveless veins, which are free to anastomose with other components of the vertebral venous plexus. Additionally, around the foramen magnum, the venous plexus communicates with the dural venous sinuses, and with the deep veins of the neck and pelvis. It communicates laterally with the intervertebral veins which drain the vertebral venous plexus into the vertebral vein in the neck, the posterior intercostal veins in the thorax, and the lumbar and lateral sacral veins caudally.
Tributaries
The anterior internal vertebral venous plexus receives the basivertebral veins and tributaries from the spinal veins.
Structures Drained
The anterior internal vertebral venous plexus drains the vertebrae, epidural space, spinal cord, and local tissue.
List of Clinical Correlates
- Spinal epidural hematoma
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Plexus
Visceral plexuses are a network of nerve fiber and ganglia surrounding organs of the abdomen and pelvis region that convey sympathetic, parasympathetic, and visceral afferent input.
