2- Vertebral Artery Flashcards
The vertebral artery originates from the ___ ____ and supplies _____% of the blood to the brain.
Subclavian
20%
What are the 3 key vessels of the VBA system?
Two VAs that joint to form one basilar artery
What are the 4 portions of the vertebral artery along its course?
- Proximal
- Transverse
- Suboccipital
- Intracranial
Where does the VA enter the transverse foramen in most people?
C6
Where does the first portion of the VA run?
Origin of subclavian artery to its point of entry to the cervical spine
Where does the second portion of the VA run?
C6 to the transverse foramen of C2
Where does the 3rd portion of the VA run?
exit at axis (C2) to its point of penetration into the spinal canal
Where does the 4th portion of the VA run?
foramen magnum to formation of the basilar artery at lower border of pons
Where is the VA most vulnerable to compression and stretching?
C1-C2 with cervical rotation
What do the meningeal branches supply?
bone and dura mater (cerebellar fossa)
What are the branches of the VA?
Meningeal branches Anterior spinal artery Posterior spinal artery Muscular branches Posterior inferior cerebellar artery
What do the muscular branches supply?
deep suboccipital muscles
What is the gold standard for imaging VBI? What are some other options?
Conventional angiography
MRA
Doppler Sonography
What are the 5Ds And the 3N’s?
Dizziness Diplopia Drop Attacks & Drop Foot Dysarthria Dysphagia Ataxia Nystagmus Numbness Nausea
What does Horner’s syndrome manifest as?
Decreased pupil size, a drooping eyelid, and decreased sweating on the affected face side
