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The influence of the back muscles and azygos valves on thermoregulation of the spinal cord
Author(s) -
Vorster Willie,
Visscher Arjan P,
Van der Heiden Jaap,
Hoogland Piet VJM
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.745.4
Subject(s) - anatomy , cadaver , spinal cord , medicine , azygos vein , venous plexus , plexus , intercostal arteries , blood flow , venous valves , vein , surgery , cardiology , psychiatry
The internal vertebral venous plexus (IVVP) is a valve less plexus in the spinal canal and is known to play an important role influencing the temperature of the spinal cord. The veins from the back muscles have connections with the IVVP and valve like structures might play a role in the direction of the blood flow in these connections. The aim of this study is to investigate if the heat generated by the back muscles is transported to the IVVP and if blood flow is controlled by valve like structures to the spinal cord. Ten unembalmed human fetuses and 3 unembalmed adult cadavers injected with latex, as well as one 2 months old baby and two non latexed adult cadavers were used. The veins from the back muscles and their connections with the posterior intercostal veins, azygos and IVVP were investigated. Veins from the thoracic part of the erector spinae muscles drain via the posterior intercostal veins towards the azygos system. Where the latex formed clots and bulges in these connections, histological analysis showed a variety of valve like structures. The morphology of these valves suggests that the blood from the posterior intercostal veins flows away from the IVVP towards the (hemi) azygos. The veins from the deeper muscles seem to drain to the IVVP which can influence the temperature of the spinal cord.