Vertebral artery

Organization and role

It most often enters the C6 transverse foramen, although variants occur. Its upper course around the atlas helps explain special precautions in the craniocervical region.

Clinical relevance and investigation

Unusual neck pain or headache with neurological signs may require urgent vascular assessment. A normal positional test alone cannot exclude arterial disease.

Points to consider

Neural tissue depends on continuous blood supply. A vessel disorder can have consequences different from disc compression, even when symptoms overlap. Sudden weakness or new loss of function requires urgent assessment.

Role of TAGMED care

At TAGMED, assessment aims to understand symptoms, history and functional limitations. Manual care and osteopathy, motorized spinal decompression, laser and shockwave have different indications. The term described in this entry is not enough to select any of these modalities. Their relevance, limitations and possible contraindications should be discussed in relation to diagnosis and individual goals.

Related concepts and distinctions

These concepts belong to the same field, but are not synonyms.

• Artery of Adamkiewicz — Large anterior radiculomedullary artery reinforcing thoracolumbar spinal cord blood supply, with a variable origin and course.
• Vertebral venous plexus — Venous network within and around the spinal canal that connects spinal venous drainage with other body regions.
• Posterior spinal arteries — Posterior longitudinal arteries contributing to the dorsal spinal cord blood supply and connected to a perimedullary vascular network.

Medical references

1. OpenStax, Rice University. Anatomy and Physiology 2e — Circulation and the Central Nervous System.
2. Radiological Society of North America. RadLex Radiology Lexicon — terminology resource.

References document the topic; their inclusion does not imply endorsement of TAGMED services by those organizations.