What is the artery of Adamkiewicz?
Artery of Adamkiewicz is the major thoracolumbar radicular artery supplying the spinal cord.
The artery is a branch off the aorta and is also known as the great anterior radiculomedullary artery.
It’s exact origin off the aorta varies widely and enters the cord between T6 and L1, typically on the left side of the body, but it can originate on the right in about one-third.
It supplies the lumbar and lower thoracic segments. It forms anastomoses with the anterior spinal artery in the lower thoracic region, where the watershed area of the spinal cord is located.
