Artery of Adamkiewicz

In human anatomy, the artery of Adamkiewicz (also arteria radicularis magna) is the largest anterior segmental medullary artery. It typically arises from a 9th to 12th left posterior intercostal artery, enters through the L2-L3 intervertebral foramen to join the anterior spinal artery and supply much of the inferior half of the spinal cord.

The artery is named after Albert Wojciech Adamkiewicz (August 11, 1850 – October 31, 1921), a Polish pathologist born in Żerków. It has several other names, including:


 * Adamkiewicz artery
 * great radicular artery of Adamkiewicz
 * major anterior segmental medullary artery
 * artery of the lumbar enlargement
 * great anterior radiculomedullary artery
 * great anterior segmental medullary artery
 * great ventral radicular artery

Structure
The blood supply of the spinal cord is complex and highly variable. In a study of approximately 70 people that examined the spinal cord's blood supply it was found that: In 75% of people, the artery of Adamkiewicz originates on the left side of the aorta between the T8 and L1 vertebral segments.
 * 1) The Adamkiewicz artery sometimes arises from a lumbar vessel.
 * 2) In approximately 30% of people it arises from the right side.
 * 3) One quarter of people have two large anterior segmental medullary arteries.

In an extensive literature review, recognition of the AKA using CT and/or MR was achieved in 466 of 555 cases (83.96%) and in 384 (83.3%) cases the AKA originated from a left intercostal artery.

Clinical significance
"Great radicular artery of Adamkiewicz… provides the major blood supply to the lumbar and sacral cord."

When damaged or obstructed, it can result in a syndrome of spinal cord ischemia, similar to anterior spinal artery syndrome, with loss of urinary and fecal continence and impaired motor function of the legs; sensory function is often preserved to a degree.

It is important to identify the location of the artery when surgically treating an aortic aneurysm to prevent damage which would result in insufficient blood supply to the spinal cord. In bronchial artery embolization for treatment of massive hemoptysis, one of the most serious complications is inadvertent occlusion of the artery of Adamkiewicz. Its location can be identified with computed tomographic angiography.

History
It is named for Albert Wojciech Adamkiewicz.