Batson venous plexus
Last revised by Sonam Vadera ◉ on 04 Oct 2021
Citation, DOI & article data
Citation:
Asatryan A, Vadera S, Bell D, et al. Batson venous plexus. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 02 Feb 2023) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-43354
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rID:
43354
Article created:
06 Mar 2016 by Albert Asatryan
Revisions:
12 times by 7 users - see full revision history
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Synonyms:
- Batson's plexus
- Batson's venous plexus
- Batson's veins
- Batson veins
Batson venous plexus, also known as Batson veins, are a network of paravertebral veins with no valves that connect thoracic vessels and deep pelvic veins draining the bladder, prostate, and rectum to the internal vertebral venous plexus 1. These veins are important because they are believed to provide a route for spread of cancer metastases or infections to the spine 2.
History and etymology
The plexus is named after the American surgeon and anatomist Oscar Vivian Batson (1894-1979) , who first described it in 1940 3.
References
- 1. Wiltse LL, Fonseca AS, Amster J et-al. Relationship of the dura, Hofmann's ligaments, Batson's plexus, and a fibrovascular membrane lying on the posterior surface of the vertebral bodies and attaching to the deep layer of the posterior longitudinal ligament. An anatomical, radiologic, and clinical study. Spine. 1993;18 (8): 1030-43. Pubmed citation
- 2. Batson OV. THE FUNCTION OF THE VERTEBRAL VEINS AND THEIR ROLE IN THE SPREAD OF METASTASES. Ann. Surg. 2007;112 (1): 138-49. Free text at pubmed - Pubmed citation
- 3. Nathoo N, Caris EC, Wiener JA, Mendel E. History of the vertebral venous plexus and the significant contributions of Breschet and Batson. (2011) Neurosurgery. 69 (5): 1007-14; discussion 1014. doi:10.1227/NEU.0b013e3182274865 - Pubmed
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