The function of the vascular system is to nourish each cell in the body. This includes the vertebral column, spinal cord, neural elements, muscles, and other related structures.

The spinal column is served by the body's elaborate system of arteries and veins, as outlined in the following tables.

Arteries	Region
Vertebral	Cervical (Head)
Basilar	Basilar Cervical (Head)
Carotid	Cervical/Thoracic
Thoracic Aorta	Thoracic cavity
Intercostal	Thoracic wall
Spinal Branch	Thoracic/Lumbar
Anterior Spinal	Thoracic/Lumbar
Abdominal Aorta	Thoracic/Lumbar cavities
Posterior Branch	Thoracic to Sacrum
Lumbar Segmental	Lumbar
Left Common Iliac	Lumbar/pelvic organs, legs
Right Common Iliac	Lumbar/pelvic organs, legs
Segmental	Lumbar to Sacrum
Middle Sacral	Lumbosacral
Iliolumbar	Lumbosacral
Internal Iliac	Lumbosacral

Veins	Region/Comment
Internal Jugular	Cervical - returns blood from the head
External Jugular	Cervical - returns blood from the head
Superior Vena Cava	Cervical/Upper Thoracic Returns blood from upper body to heart
Thoracic Segmental	Thoracic
Inferior Vena Cava	Thoracic/Lumbosacral Returns blood from lower body to heart
Azygous	Azygous Lumbar - Returns blood from lower body when inferior vena cava obstructed
Hemiazygous	Lumbar
Lumbar Segmental	Lumbar
Left Common Iliac	Lumbar
Right Common Iliac	Lumbar
Batson's Plexus	Lumbar - Valveless vein, provides alternate route for blood return to heart
Common Iliac	Lumbosacral