The four pairs of lumbar arteries arise from the posterior surface of the abdominal aorta opposite L1-L4 and wrap around the vertebral bodies to reach the posterior abdominal wall; a small fifth pair, when present, usually comes from the median sacral artery. Each gives a dorsal branch that divides into a muscular branch to the paraspinal muscles and a spinal branch entering the intervertebral foramen to supply the spinal cord, cauda equina and vertebral canal contents.
| Origin | Posterior surface of the abdominal aorta opposite the bodies of L1-L4 |
|---|---|
| Course | Run backward around the sides of the vertebral bodies, behind the sympathetic trunk and psoas, then behind quadratus lumborum to reach the muscles of the abdominal wall |
| Branches |
|
The spinal branches of the lumbar arteries contribute to the spinal cord supply, and the artery of Adamkiewicz occasionally arises from an upper lumbar level, so sacrifice of lumbar arteries in aortic aneurysm repair or thoracolumbar spine surgery can threaten cord perfusion; CT angiography can locate it beforehand. The arteries cross the sides of the vertebral bodies and are at risk in anterior and lateral lumbar interbody fusion, where injury causes a retroperitoneal haematoma. Lumbar artery bleeding after spinal surgery or vertebral fracture is managed by selective embolisation.
Burst fractures of lumbar vertebrae can lacerate the adjacent lumbar artery, producing a retroperitoneal haematoma that tracks into the psoas fascia and can cause haemodynamic instability requiring selective angiographic embolisation.
Anterior lumbar interbody fusion requires mobilisation of the great vessels off the anterior spine, with lumbar arteries and veins at risk during this dissection; avulsion of a lumbar vessel from the aorta causes brisk haemorrhage requiring immediate vascular repair.
This website uses cookies to enhance your experience. Some are essential for site functionality, while others help us analyze and improve your usage experience. Please review your options and make your choice.
If you are under 16 years old, please ensure that you have received consent from your parent or guardian for any non-essential cookies.
Your privacy is important to us. You can adjust your cookie settings at any time. For more information about how we use data, please read our privacy policy. You may change your preferences at any time by clicking on the settings button below.
Note that if you choose to disable some types of cookies, it may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.
Some required resources have been blocked, which can affect third-party services and may cause the site to not function properly.
This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and ensure the site functions properly. By continuing to use this site, you acknowledge and accept our use of cookies.
