Veins of vertebral column
Venae columnae vertebralis
Definition
The veins of the vertebral column are primarily organized into the vertebral venous plexus, which is a complex network of valveless veins that facilitate bidirectional blood flow. The VVP is divided into two main components: the internal vertebral venous plexus (IVVP) and the external vertebral venous plexus (EVVP).
1. Intervertebral veins / Internal Vertebral Venous Plexus : This plexus is located within the vertebral canal and is further divided into anterior and posterior components. The anterior IVVP is situated in front of the spinal cord and the posterior longitudinal ligament, while the posterior IVVP is located behind the spinal cord and dura mater.
2. External Vertebral Venous Plexus (EVVP): This plexus surrounds the vertebral column and is divided into anterior and posterior components. The anterior EVVP is located on the anterior surface of the vertebral bodies, and the posterior EVVP is situated on the posterior aspects of the vertebrae
References
1.Microsurgical Anatomy of the Internal Vertebral Venous Plexuses.
Chaynes P, Verdié JC, Moscovici J, et al.
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy : SRA. 1998;20(1):47-51. doi:10.1007/BF01628115.
2.The Vertebral Venous Plexuses: The Internal Veins Are Muscular and External Veins Have Valves.
Stringer MD, Restieaux M, Fisher AL, Crosado B.
Clinical Anatomy (New York, N.Y.). 2012;25(5):609-18. doi:10.1002/ca.21281
3.History of the Vertebral Venous Plexus and the Significant Contributions of Breschet and Batson.
Nathoo N, Caris EC, Wiener JA, Mendel E.
Neurosurgery. 2011;69(5):1007-14; discussion 1014. doi:10.1227/NEU.0b013e3182274865.
