Abstract:

Objective    To provide anatomic basis for reducing hemorrhage within operating field, improving operation exposure and reducing complication in cervical anterior decompression procedure through illuminating the feature of blood supply in subaxial cervical vertebrae.　Methods　The origin, course, distribution and anastomosis of anteroposterior blood supply were observed at C3-7 of 15 adult cadaveric specimens perfused with red latex.　Results　Anterior cervical vertebral artery originated from spinal branches of ascending cervical artery, inferior thyroid artery and pinal branches of deep cervical artery. Its branches distributed at anterior cervical vertebrae, among which the branches at superior 1/3 segment of vertebrae were grossusest, and anastomosed with the branches in opposite side. The branches of anterior vertebral artery in C4-7 anastomosed with each other, and formed a longitudinal arterial chain at the medial margin of longus colli muscle. Posterior cervical vertebral artery originated from vertebral artery or ascending cervical and deep cervical arteries, and its branches sent out ascending and descending branches fairly at lateral border of dura mater, which formed a segmented vaulted arterial chain at posterior cervical vertebrae, which sent out 1-2 relatively grossus branches at central region of vertebrae, and anastomosed with the branches in opposite side. Conclusions　Interrupting anterior vertebral arteries of underwent vertebrae and anastomosis of longitudinal arteries with adjoining anterior vertebral arteries, and paying attention to deal with posterior vertebral arteries and its branches at central region of vertebrae and lateral border of dura mater when decompressing at posterior part of cervical vertebrae could reduce hemorrhage within operating field and improve operation exposure in cervical anterior decompression procedure.

Key words: Subaxial cervical vertebrae, Blood supply, Cervical anterior decompression procedure, Applied anatomy