Back vasculature anatomy test

Assess your back vasculature anatomy knowledge. The test evaluates arterial blood supply, venous drainage, and topography of the vessels in this region.

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1. Which artery provides the main blood supply to the latissimus dorsi muscle?

Thoracodorsal artery

The thoracodorsal artery is a continuation of the subscapular artery and supplies the latissimus dorsi muscle.
Dorsal scapular artery

The thoracodorsal artery is a continuation of the subscapular artery and supplies the latissimus dorsi muscle.
Posterior circumflex humeral artery

The thoracodorsal artery is a continuation of the subscapular artery and supplies the latissimus dorsi muscle.
Suprascapular artery

The thoracodorsal artery is a continuation of the subscapular artery and supplies the latissimus dorsi muscle.
I find it difficult to answer

The thoracodorsal artery is a continuation of the subscapular artery and supplies the latissimus dorsi muscle.

2. Which vessels pass through the intervertebral foramina to supply the spinal cord?

Posterior intercostal arteries

Spinal branches arise from various arteries and penetrate through intervertebral foramina into the vertebral canal.
Lumbar arteries

Spinal branches arise from various arteries and penetrate through intervertebral foramina into the vertebral canal.
Spinal branches

Spinal branches arise from various arteries and penetrate through intervertebral foramina into the vertebral canal.
Subcostal arteries

Spinal branches arise from various arteries and penetrate through intervertebral foramina into the vertebral canal.
I find it difficult to answer

Spinal branches arise from various arteries and penetrate through intervertebral foramina into the vertebral canal.

3. Which venous structure forms a plexus within the vertebral canal?

External vertebral venous plexus

Internal vertebral venous plexuses are located in the epidural space of the vertebral canal.
Internal vertebral venous plexus

Internal vertebral venous plexuses are located in the epidural space of the vertebral canal.
Basilar plexus

Internal vertebral venous plexuses are located in the epidural space of the vertebral canal.
Azygos vein

Internal vertebral venous plexuses are located in the epidural space of the vertebral canal.
I find it difficult to answer

Internal vertebral venous plexuses are located in the epidural space of the vertebral canal.

4. From which structure do the posterior intercostal arteries, supplying the back muscles, primarily originate?

Internal thoracic artery

Posterior intercostal arteries (from the third onward) arise directly from the thoracic segment of the descending aorta.
Subclavian artery

Posterior intercostal arteries (from the third onward) arise directly from the thoracic segment of the descending aorta.
Thoracic aorta

Posterior intercostal arteries (from the third onward) arise directly from the thoracic segment of the descending aorta.
Axillary artery

Posterior intercostal arteries (from the third onward) arise directly from the thoracic segment of the descending aorta.
I find it difficult to answer

Posterior intercostal arteries (from the third onward) arise directly from the thoracic segment of the descending aorta.

5. At which level does the great radicular artery (artery of Adamkiewicz) most commonly originate?

On the right at the level of the cervical vertebrae

The artery of Adamkiewicz usually originates on the left at the level of T8-L2 and is a major source of blood supply to the lower segments of the spinal cord.
On the left at the level of the lower thoracic or upper lumbar vertebrae

The artery of Adamkiewicz usually originates on the left at the level of T8-L2 and is a major source of blood supply to the lower segments of the spinal cord.
On the right at the level of the sacrum

The artery of Adamkiewicz usually originates on the left at the level of T8-L2 and is a major source of blood supply to the lower segments of the spinal cord.
On the left at the level of the upper thoracic vertebrae

The artery of Adamkiewicz usually originates on the left at the level of T8-L2 and is a major source of blood supply to the lower segments of the spinal cord.
I find it difficult to answer

The artery of Adamkiewicz usually originates on the left at the level of T8-L2 and is a major source of blood supply to the lower segments of the spinal cord.

6. Which back muscle is predominantly supplied by the superficial cervical artery (a. cervicalis superficialis)?

Latissimus dorsi muscle

The superficial cervical artery supplies the superior part of the trapezius muscle and adjacent structures.
Rhomboid muscle

The superficial cervical artery supplies the superior part of the trapezius muscle and adjacent structures.
Trapezius muscle

The superficial cervical artery supplies the superior part of the trapezius muscle and adjacent structures.
Levator scapulae.

The superficial cervical artery supplies the superior part of the trapezius muscle and adjacent structures.
I find it difficult to answer

The superficial cervical artery supplies the superior part of the trapezius muscle and adjacent structures.

7. Where do the dorsal branches of the lumbar arteries pass?

In front of the quadratus lumborum muscle

The dorsal branches of the lumbar arteries extend backward between the transverse processes to supply the deep muscles and skin of the back.
Between the transverse processes of the lumbar vertebrae

The dorsal branches of the lumbar arteries extend backward between the transverse processes to supply the deep muscles and skin of the back.
Through the intervertebral foramina into the vertebral canal

The dorsal branches of the lumbar arteries extend backward between the transverse processes to supply the deep muscles and skin of the back.
Along the anterior surfaces of the vertebral bodies

The dorsal branches of the lumbar arteries extend backward between the transverse processes to supply the deep muscles and skin of the back.
I find it difficult to answer

The dorsal branches of the lumbar arteries extend backward between the transverse processes to supply the deep muscles and skin of the back.

8. Which vein collects blood from the external vertebral venous plexuses in the cervical region?

Occipital vein

The vertebral vein is formed from plexuses around the occipital bone and collects blood from the vertebral plexuses of the neck.
Deep cervical vein

The vertebral vein is formed from plexuses around the occipital bone and collects blood from the vertebral plexuses of the neck.
Vertebral vein

The vertebral vein is formed from plexuses around the occipital bone and collects blood from the vertebral plexuses of the neck.
External jugular vein

The vertebral vein is formed from plexuses around the occipital bone and collects blood from the vertebral plexuses of the neck.
I find it difficult to answer

The vertebral vein is formed from plexuses around the occipital bone and collects blood from the vertebral plexuses of the neck.

9. Into which vein do the right posterior intercostal veins primarily drain?

Azygos vein

The right posterior intercostal veins (from 4 to 11) drain directly into the azygos vein (v. azygos).
Hemiazygos vein

The right posterior intercostal veins (from 4 to 11) drain directly into the azygos vein (v. azygos).
Superior vena cava

The right posterior intercostal veins (from 4 to 11) drain directly into the azygos vein (v. azygos).
Inferior vena cava

The right posterior intercostal veins (from 4 to 11) drain directly into the azygos vein (v. azygos).
I find it difficult to answer

The right posterior intercostal veins (from 4 to 11) drain directly into the azygos vein (v. azygos).

10. Deeper than which muscles does the dorsal scapular artery (a. dorsalis scapulae) typically pass?

Rhomboid muscles

The dorsal scapular artery descends along the medial border of the scapula beneath the rhomboid muscles, supplying them.
Trapezius muscle

The dorsal scapular artery descends along the medial border of the scapula beneath the rhomboid muscles, supplying them.
Latissimus dorsi muscle

The dorsal scapular artery descends along the medial border of the scapula beneath the rhomboid muscles, supplying them.
Supraspinatus muscle

The dorsal scapular artery descends along the medial border of the scapula beneath the rhomboid muscles, supplying them.
I find it difficult to answer

The dorsal scapular artery descends along the medial border of the scapula beneath the rhomboid muscles, supplying them.

11. Which structure is directly supplied by the anterior and posterior spinal arteries?

Brain

The anterior and posterior spinal arteries descend along the spinal cord forming its main longitudinal arterial tract.
Spinal cord

The anterior and posterior spinal arteries descend along the spinal cord forming its main longitudinal arterial tract.
Spinal ganglia

The anterior and posterior spinal arteries descend along the spinal cord forming its main longitudinal arterial tract.
Dura mater

The anterior and posterior spinal arteries descend along the spinal cord forming its main longitudinal arterial tract.
I find it difficult to answer

The anterior and posterior spinal arteries descend along the spinal cord forming its main longitudinal arterial tract.

12. Which trunk does the deep cervical artery (a. cervicalis profunda), supplying the deep muscles of the neck and back, branch from?

Thyrocervical trunk

The deep cervical artery branches from the costocervical trunk (truncus costocervicalis) of the subclavian artery.
Costocervical trunk

The deep cervical artery branches from the costocervical trunk (truncus costocervicalis) of the subclavian artery.
Transverse cervical artery

The deep cervical artery branches from the costocervical trunk (truncus costocervicalis) of the subclavian artery.
Ascending cervical artery

The deep cervical artery branches from the costocervical trunk (truncus costocervicalis) of the subclavian artery.
I find it difficult to answer

The deep cervical artery branches from the costocervical trunk (truncus costocervicalis) of the subclavian artery.

13. How many anterior spinal arteries are normally present in humans?

Four.

The anterior spinal artery (a. spinalis anterior) is an unpaired vessel formed from the fusion of branches of vertebral arteries.
Three.

The anterior spinal artery (a. spinalis anterior) is an unpaired vessel formed from the fusion of branches of vertebral arteries.
Two.

The anterior spinal artery (a. spinalis anterior) is an unpaired vessel formed from the fusion of branches of vertebral arteries.
One.

The anterior spinal artery (a. spinalis anterior) is an unpaired vessel formed from the fusion of branches of vertebral arteries.
I find it difficult to answer

The anterior spinal artery (a. spinalis anterior) is an unpaired vessel formed from the fusion of branches of vertebral arteries.

14. Into which plexus do the basivertebral veins drain the venous blood from the vertebral bodies?

External vertebral plexus

Basivertebral veins exit on the posterior surface of the vertebral bodies and drain into the anterior internal vertebral venous plexus.
Anterior internal vertebral venous plexus

Basivertebral veins exit on the posterior surface of the vertebral bodies and drain into the anterior internal vertebral venous plexus.
Posterior internal vertebral venous plexus

Basivertebral veins exit on the posterior surface of the vertebral bodies and drain into the anterior internal vertebral venous plexus.
Intervertebral veins

Basivertebral veins exit on the posterior surface of the vertebral bodies and drain into the anterior internal vertebral venous plexus.
I find it difficult to answer

Basivertebral veins exit on the posterior surface of the vertebral bodies and drain into the anterior internal vertebral venous plexus.

15. What supplies the muscle that straightens the spine in the lumbar region?

Ventral branches of lumbar arteries

The dorsal branches (rami dorsales) of the lumbar arteries supply the deep muscles of the back in the lumbar region.
Dorsal branches of lumbar arteries

The dorsal branches (rami dorsales) of the lumbar arteries supply the deep muscles of the back in the lumbar region.
Psoas artery (iliolumbar artery)

The dorsal branches (rami dorsales) of the lumbar arteries supply the deep muscles of the back in the lumbar region.
Median sacral artery

The dorsal branches (rami dorsales) of the lumbar arteries supply the deep muscles of the back in the lumbar region.
I find it difficult to answer

The dorsal branches (rami dorsales) of the lumbar arteries supply the deep muscles of the back in the lumbar region.

16. Where does blood from the posterior internal vertebral venous plexus drain at the level of the intervertebral foramina?

Basilar plexus

The blood from the internal vertebral plexuses drains through the intervertebral veins (vv. intervertebrales), exiting through the corresponding foramina.
Occipital sinus

The blood from the internal vertebral plexuses drains through the intervertebral veins (vv. intervertebrales), exiting through the corresponding foramina.
Intervertebral veins

The blood from the internal vertebral plexuses drains through the intervertebral veins (vv. intervertebrales), exiting through the corresponding foramina.
Azygos vein

The blood from the internal vertebral plexuses drains through the intervertebral veins (vv. intervertebrales), exiting through the corresponding foramina.
I find it difficult to answer

The blood from the internal vertebral plexuses drains through the intervertebral veins (vv. intervertebrales), exiting through the corresponding foramina.

17. The deep branch of the transverse cervical artery (a. transversa cervicis) is also known by the name:

Suprascapular artery

The deep branch of the transverse cervical artery functionally and topographically often corresponds to the dorsal scapular artery.
Ascending cervical artery

The deep branch of the transverse cervical artery functionally and topographically often corresponds to the dorsal scapular artery.
Deep cervical artery

The deep branch of the transverse cervical artery functionally and topographically often corresponds to the dorsal scapular artery.
Dorsal scapular artery

The deep branch of the transverse cervical artery functionally and topographically often corresponds to the dorsal scapular artery.
I find it difficult to answer

The deep branch of the transverse cervical artery functionally and topographically often corresponds to the dorsal scapular artery.

18. Along the inferior border of which rib does the subcostal artery (a. subcostalis) pass?

10th rib

The subcostal artery is analogous to the posterior intercostal arteries and passes under the lower edge of the 12th rib.
11th rib

The subcostal artery is analogous to the posterior intercostal arteries and passes under the lower edge of the 12th rib.
12th rib

The subcostal artery is analogous to the posterior intercostal arteries and passes under the lower edge of the 12th rib.
9th rib

The subcostal artery is analogous to the posterior intercostal arteries and passes under the lower edge of the 12th rib.
I find it difficult to answer

The subcostal artery is analogous to the posterior intercostal arteries and passes under the lower edge of the 12th rib.

19. Which arteries give off dorsal branches to the skin and muscles of the back in the sacral area?

Lateral and median sacral arteries

The dorsal branches of the sacral arteries exit through the dorsal sacral foramina to supply the soft tissues of the sacral region of the back.
Lumbar arteries

The dorsal branches of the sacral arteries exit through the dorsal sacral foramina to supply the soft tissues of the sacral region of the back.
Psoas artery (iliolumbar artery)

The dorsal branches of the sacral arteries exit through the dorsal sacral foramina to supply the soft tissues of the sacral region of the back.
Inferior gluteal artery

The dorsal branches of the sacral arteries exit through the dorsal sacral foramina to supply the soft tissues of the sacral region of the back.
I find it difficult to answer

The dorsal branches of the sacral arteries exit through the dorsal sacral foramina to supply the soft tissues of the sacral region of the back.

20. What is the main source of blood supply to the meninges of the spinal cord?

Radicular arteries

The meningeal branches (rami meningei), which originate from the spinal branches, provide vascularization to the dura mater and other meninges of the spinal cord.
Meningeal branches of spinal branches

The meningeal branches (rami meningei), which originate from the spinal branches, provide vascularization to the dura mater and other meninges of the spinal cord.
Anterior spinal artery

The meningeal branches (rami meningei), which originate from the spinal branches, provide vascularization to the dura mater and other meninges of the spinal cord.
Central arteries

The meningeal branches (rami meningei), which originate from the spinal branches, provide vascularization to the dura mater and other meninges of the spinal cord.
I find it difficult to answer

The meningeal branches (rami meningei), which originate from the spinal branches, provide vascularization to the dura mater and other meninges of the spinal cord.