Intervertebral veins

The intervertebral veins accompany the spinal nerves through the intervertebral foramina; they receive the veins from the medulla spinalis, drain the internal and external vertebral venous plexuses.[1] They drain (in craniocaudal sequence) into vertebral vein, intercostal veins, lumbar veins, and lateral sacral veins. Upper posterior intercostal veins may additionally drain via brachiocephalic vens. They may drain to ascending lumbar veins. They may drain into the inferior vena cava directly, reaching it by winding around the surface of the vertebral body.[2]

Intervertebral veins
Transverse section of a thoracic vertebra, showing the vertebral venous plexuses.
Median sagittal section of two thoracic vertebrae, showing the vertebral venous plexuses.
Details
Identifiers
Latinvena intervertebralis
Anatomical terminology

It is unclear whether intervertebral veins contain functional venous valves; blood flow through intervertebral veins may be reversible, suggesting a possible mechanism for metastatic spread of e.g. prostatic cancer to the spine during temporary blood flow reversals (e.g. during periods of elevated intra-abdominal pressure or during postural alterations).[3]

Anatomy

Fate

Their drainage depends upon the part of the body:

  • Neck: [[vertebral vein|vertebral vein]]
  • Thorax: [[intercostal veins|intercostal veins]]
  • Lumbar region: [[lumbar veins|lumbar veins]]
  • Sacral region: [[lateral sacral veins|lateral sacral veins]]

References
  1. Gray, Henry (1918). Gray's Anatomy (20th ed.). p. 669.
  2. Standring, Susan (2020). Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice (42nd ed.). New York. p. 882. ISBN 978-0-7020-7707-4. OCLC 1201341621.
  3. Standring, Susan (2020). Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice (42nd ed.). New York. p. 882. ISBN 978-0-7020-7707-4. OCLC 1201341621.
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