Anterior medullary vein
Last revised by Rohit Sharma on 22 Oct 2022
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Feger J, Sharma R, Anterior medullary vein. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 16 Apr 2024) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-90460
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rID:
90460
Article created:
17 Jun 2021,
Joachim Feger ◉
Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Joachim Feger had no recorded disclosures.
View Joachim Feger's current disclosures
Last revised:
22 Oct 2022,
Rohit Sharma ◉
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Rohit Sharma had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.
View Rohit Sharma's current disclosures
Revisions:
4 times, by
2 contributors -
see full revision history and disclosures
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Synonyms:
- Anterior medullary vein (AMV)
- Median anterior medullary vein
- Anterior medullary venous system
The anterior medullary vein (AMV) is a vein of the brainstem that can be seen in several individuals. It connects the anterior spinal vein to the pontomesencephalic venous system and several adjacent dural sinuses via bridging veins.
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Gross anatomy
The anterior medullary vein usually courses in a midline position along the anterior border of the medulla in the anterior medullary sulcus and the inferior pons 1,2. At the pontomedullary junction level, it features different variations in course and communication with the anterior pontomesencephalic vein or the transverse pontine vein 2. Inferiorly it connects with the anterior spinal vein 2.
Variant anatomy
Variations at the pontomedullary junction level include single, double, triple or absent anterior medullary veins with midline and/or superolateral course 2.
Clinical importance
The anterior medullary vein might be involved in the drainage of dural arteriovenous fistulas or brainstem arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) of the anterior medullary subtype 2,3.
References
- 1. Matsushima T, Rhoton A, Oliveira E, Peace D. Microsurgical Anatomy of the Veins of the Posterior Fossa. J Neurosurg. 1983;59(1):63-105. doi:10.3171/jns.1983.59.1.0063 - Pubmed
- 2. Kiyosue H, Tanoue S, Sagara Y et al. The Anterior Medullary–anterior Pontomesencephalic Venous System and Its Bridging Veins Communicating to the Dural Sinuses: Normal Anatomy and Drainage Routes from Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas. Neuroradiology. 2008;50(12):1013-23. doi:10.1007/s00234-008-0433-3 - Pubmed
- 3. Han S, Englot D, Kim H, Lawton M. Brainstem Arteriovenous Malformations: Anatomical Subtypes, Assessment of “occlusion in Situ” Technique, and Microsurgical Results. JNS. 2015;122(1):107-17. doi:10.3171/2014.8.jns1483 - Pubmed
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