Blood supply of spinal cord is by:
## **Core Concept**
The spinal cord receives its blood supply from a network of arteries that arise from the aorta and its branches. The primary blood supply to the spinal cord comes from the **anterior spinal artery** and **two posterior spinal arteries**. These arteries are crucial for maintaining the oxygenation and nutrient supply to the spinal cord.
## **Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer, **anterior spinal artery and two posterior spinal arteries**, is accurate because these vessels are specifically responsible for supplying blood to the spinal cord.
- The **anterior spinal artery**, which usually arises from the two **vertebral arteries**, supplies the anterior two-thirds of the spinal cord.
- The **two posterior spinal arteries**, also originating from the **vertebral arteries**, supply the posterior one-third of the spinal cord.
## **Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
- **Option A:** This option is incorrect because it does not accurately describe the blood supply to the spinal cord. Without specific details, we can infer that it likely omits key components such as the anterior and posterior spinal arteries.
- **Option B:** This option is incorrect because, similar to Option A, it fails to accurately represent the blood supply. It might include irrelevant or incomplete information regarding spinal cord vascularization.
- **Option D:** This option is incorrect as it presumably suggests an alternative that does not align with the established anatomy of spinal cord blood supply.
## **Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
A key point to remember is that the spinal cord's blood supply is segmental and can be supplemented by **segmental arteries** (such as the **radiculomedullary** and **radiculopial arteries**) that help form the **arterial network** around the spinal cord. This network is crucial for compensating for variations in blood flow along the spinal cord's length.
## **Correct Answer:** C. anterior spinal artery and two posterior spinal arteries.