Anteriorly, they drain into the external vertebral venous plexuses; posteriorly, they drain into the anterior internal vertebral venous plexus by way of transverse vessels that bridge the two vertical anterior internal vertebral plexus vessels across the midline.

[1] They are contained in large, tortuous channels in the bony substance of the vertebral bodies akin to those in the diploë of the cranial bones.

[2] The posterior longitudinal ligament is narrower and less firmly attached to vertebral bodies (compared to over the intervertebral discs) so as to allow for passage of the basivertebral veins.

[3] The basivertebral veins are the main tributaries of the internal vertebral venous plexus.

[1] It is unclear whether basivertebral veins contain functional venous valves; blood flow through basivertebral veins may be reversible, suggesting a possible mechanism for metastatic spread of e.g. prostatic cancer to the spine during temporary blood flow reversals (e.g. during periods of elevated intra-abdominal pressure or during postural alterations).