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The secrets of the spinal arteries: How they are the brain's 'lifeline'?
On the towering spine, there is a group of important blood vessels that silently provide support for our lives. The vertebral artery is not only the main artery in the neck, but also a blood supply system that is vital to maintaining life. These arteries originate in the subclavian artery, ascend along our neck, enter the skull to form a single basilar artery, and become an important "lifeline" for the brain.
The vertebral arteries are the main blood vessels supplying the brain and its surrounding structures, responsible for supplying blood to the upper spinal cord, brainstem, cerebellum, and hindbrain.
The vertebral artery usually originates from the posterosuperior aspect of the subclavian artery and enters the spine through the transverse foramen of the sixth cervical vertebra (C6). These arteries join as they enter the skull to form the basilar artery, which supplies the brainstem and connects to the circumflex arteries, so that if there is a problem with the carotid arteries, it is still possible to supply the brain through these arteries. Understanding the vertebral arteries can not only help us understand their physiological functions, but also help us understand their pathological conditions.
Structure of the vertebral artery
These arteries can be divided into four segments, including the anterior foraminal segment, the foraminal segment, the external segment, and the internal segment. The anterior foramen is located deep in the neck, the foramen enters the transverse foramen of each cervical vertebra, the external part passes through the skull base, and the final internal part penetrates the dura mater into the skull.
"With the variability and size of the vertebral arteries, these characteristics make clinical evaluation and treatment challenging."
Each artery has its own unique structure and function. For example, the anterior foramen runs between the anterior scalene muscles and the long neck muscles, while the foramen passes through a complex area with nerves and veins. . This makes it possible for these arteries to cause varying degrees of neurological problems if they are damaged or changed.
Function of the vertebral arteries
As part of the vertebral-basilar arterial system, the main function of the vertebral arteries is to supply blood to the upper spinal cord, brainstem, cerebellum, and hindbrain. The health of these arteries directly affects our movement, sensation and cognitive abilities.
"Any disease or accident of the spinal artery may lead to severe insufficient blood supply to the brain, which in turn affects the quality of life."
Clinical significance and diseases
The health of our spinal arteries is vital to us. Due to their complex anatomy, these arteries may be affected by various pathologies, for example, a stroke in the vertebral artery may lead to a stroke in the posterior circulation, and spinal manipulation may also cause a vertebral artery tear. These situations require prompt intervention by the clinician to ensure that the vertebral artery-related disease is properly managed.
Diagnostic techniques
The health of the vertebral arteries can usually be diagnosed through various imaging techniques, such as Doppler ultrasound, CT angiography, or phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PC-MRI). These techniques provide detailed assessment of blood flow velocity in an artery, with the average normal artery velocity being 63.6 cm/s during cardiac systole and 16.1 cm/s during diastole. Moreover, due to the difference in the quality of the vertebral arteries, there are significant differences in the measured values on each side.
Variation and Adaptation
The structure and shape of the vertebral artery vary significantly among different individuals, which is called vertebral artery variation. For example, there may be an asymmetry in the diameters of the left and right arteries. In some people, the diameter of the vertebral arteries on both sides may differ by as much as 25%. Such differences have potential impacts on blood flow stability and blood supply effectiveness.
ConclusionAs one of the core organs for maintaining physiological functions, the structure, function and clinical importance of the vertebral artery cannot be ignored. Through a deeper understanding of the spinal arteries, we can improve our awareness and prevention of related diseases, thereby protecting our most precious life. In such an interconnected system, have you ever thought about how to better care for and protect the health of your spinal arteries?
