Arteries and Veins of the Lumbar Nerve Roots and Cauda Equina

Spinal Schwannoma presenting due to torsion and hemorrhage: case report and review of literature

“…The blood supply to the nerves (and therefore to any nerve sheath tumors arising from nerves) within the cauda equina runs in both directions between the exiting nerve sleeve and the cord itself [6]. There is no bridging arterial or venous supply to the nerve, but typically a compression at one point will still allow circulation from either side, so the nerve does not become ischemic ''downstream,'' as there is no absolute ''downstream.''…”

Spinal nerve root compression

“…Except for some occasional reports (Suh & Alexander 1939, Herren & Alexander 1939 there was no particular interest in the blood supply of the spinal cord and roots during the first half of this century. However, a rising interest in the capability of the spinal cord to recover from vascular lesions and its reaction to vascular surgery initiated a number of investigations on the collateral circulation of the spinal cord arteries (Adams & van Geertruyden 1956, Fried & Doppman 1958, Gillilan 1958, Corbin 1961, Lazorthes et al 1966, 1971, Crock & Yoshizawa 1976, Dommisse 1976). There has also been at least two theses on spinal nerve root vascularisation (Desproges-Gotteron 1955, Viraswami 1963).…”

Compressive loading at the end plate directly regulates flow and deformation of the basivertebral vein: an analytical study

“…This is widely believed to be the result of seeding of the vertebral body by tumor cells or bacteria delivered to the vertebral body by venous blood from Batson's plexus, which is hypothesized to enter the vertebral body via the epidural veins [1-3,6-9]. It has been proposed that during daily activities such as straining, coughing, or lifting with the upper extremity, blood is not only prevented from entering the thoracicoabdominal cavity, it is actually squeezed out of the cavity.…”