Veins of the vertebral column

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The vertebral column is drained by four venous plexuses: the anterior external, anterior internal, posterior internal and posterior external vertebral venous plexuses. These plexuses communicate with each other through the intervertebral foramina and drain the external and internal regions of each vertebra.

Intervertebral veins drain the vertebral venous plexuses and travel through the intervertebral foramina to empty into the vertebral veins (cervical), the posterior intercostal veins (thoracic), the lumbar veins and the sacral veins.

Find out more about the veins of the vertebral column by watching the video below.

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Take a closer look at the veins of the vertebral column in the gallery below.

Summary