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 left posterior intercostal artery at the level of the 9th to 12th intercostal artery, which branches from the aorta, and supplies the lower two thirds of the spinal cord via the anterior spinal artery. In human anatomy, the artery of Adamkiewicz (also arteria radicularis magna) is the largest anterior segmental medullary artery. It typically arises from a left posterior intercostal artery at the level of the 9th to 12th intercostal artery, which branches from the aorta, and supplies the lower two thirds of the spinal cord via the anterior spinal artery. 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: 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. 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. 'Great radicular artery of Adamkiewicz… provides the major blood supply to the lumbar and sacral cord.' When damaged or obstructed, it can result in 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. It is named for Albert Wojciech Adamkiewicz.