Anterior spinal artery throbosis is characterized by-a) Loss of pain & touchb) Loss of vibration sensec) Loss of power in lower limbd) Sphincter dysfuction
## **Core Concept**
The anterior spinal artery supplies the anterior two-thirds of the spinal cord, including the anterior horn (motor neurons), the lateral horn (involved in autonomic functions), and the posterior horn (sensory neurons for pain and temperature). The posterior columns, responsible for vibration sense and proprioception, are supplied by the posterior spinal arteries.
## **Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Anterior spinal artery thrombosis leads to **Anterior Spinal Cord Syndrome**, also known as **Lateral Spinal Cord Syndrome** or **Bechet's syndrome** when it occurs in the cervical spine. This syndrome is characterized by:
- Loss of motor function (power) below the level of the lesion due to damage to the corticospinal tracts.
- Loss of pain and temperature sensation below the level of the lesion due to damage to the spinothalamic tracts.
- Autonomic dysfunction, including sphincter disturbances.
## **Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
- **Option A:** Loss of pain & touch: This is partially correct in that pain sensation is lost, but touch sensation can be preserved as the posterior columns (responsible for touch and vibration) are spared.
- **Option B:** Loss of vibration sense: Incorrect because vibration sense is mediated by the posterior columns, which are supplied by the posterior spinal arteries, not the anterior spinal artery.
- **Option a is partially correct but does not encompass all features; b is incorrect as explained.**
## **Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
A key clinical pearl is that anterior spinal cord syndrome typically spares the posterior columns, thus preserving vibration sense and proprioception. This syndrome often results from atherosclerosis, emboli, or vasculitis affecting the anterior spinal artery.
## **Correct Answer:** C.