[citation needed] Descending in front of the medulla oblongata, they unite at the level of the foramen magnum.

[citation needed] It supplies the pia mater, and the substance of the medulla spinalis, also sending off branches at its lower part to be distributed to the cauda equina.

Contrast this with medial medullary syndrome, when the anterior spinal artery is occluded at the level of the medulla oblongata.

[citation needed] Disruption of its perforating branches (sulcal artery) can result in a hemicord syndrome.

[1] This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 579 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918) ocular group: central retinal