6,273
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Spinal Cord - Anatomy & Physiology (view source)
Revision as of 17:17, 12 July 2011
, 17:17, 12 July 2011→Venous Supply
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The veins around the plexuses have no valves and can theoretically pass blood in either direction. The vessels are able to adjust their size/pressure to compensate for intrathoracic pressure. This intermittency of flow causes an increased risk of septic or neoplastic disease within the vertebral column. Where blood is impeded or where flow may become temporarily held stagnant, this may allow tumor seeds or micro-organisms to settle within tributaries.
===Spinal Cord Blood Supply Considerations===
When giving an epidural or a subarachnoid puncture, the above described anatomy results in their being an increased risk of haemorrhage. The risk of haemorrhage is greatest at the atlanto-occipital space where there are particularly large tributaries.
==Innervation==
==Innervation==