Intervertebral vein

General Information
Latin	venae intervertebrales
Greek
TA98
TA2
FMA
Details
System
Artery	Intercostal arteries
Vein
Nerve
Lymphatic drainage
Precursor
Function
Identifiers
Clinical significance
Notes

The intervertebral veins are a group of veins that are responsible for draining blood from the vertebral column and surrounding structures. These veins are part of the vertebral venous plexus, which is a network of veins located within the spinal canal.

Anatomy

The intervertebral veins are situated in the intervertebral foramina, which are openings between adjacent vertebrae through which the spinal nerves exit the spinal column. These veins receive blood from the internal vertebral venous plexus and the external vertebral venous plexus.

The intervertebral veins then drain into the vertebral veins, which are located alongside the vertebral arteries. The vertebral veins ultimately empty into the brachiocephalic veins, which are major veins that return blood to the superior vena cava and then to the heart.

Function

The primary function of the intervertebral veins is to facilitate the drainage of deoxygenated blood from the vertebral column and adjacent structures. This is crucial for maintaining proper circulation and venous return from the spinal cord and surrounding tissues.

Clinical significance

The intervertebral veins can become engorged or compressed in certain medical conditions, such as spinal stenosis or herniated disc. This can lead to symptoms such as back pain or neurological deficits.

See also

• Vertebral venous plexus
• Vertebral vein
• Spinal cord
• Intervertebral foramen

References

• Gray's Anatomy (20th edition)
• Medical textbooks on anatomy and physiology