Arterial Blood Supply To Brain Flashcards
What can the arterial blood supply to the brain be divided into?
Anterior circulation
Posterior circulation
What artery gives rise to the anterior circulation?
Internal carotid artery
How does the internal carotid artery give rise to the anterior circulation?
Divides into anterior and middle cerebral arteries
When does the internal carotid artery divide into the anterior and middle cerebral arteries?
After is has given off the ophthalmic artery
What part of the brain does the anterior cerebral artery supply?
Medial frontal lobe
Medial parietal lobe
What functions of the brain does the anterior cerebral artery supply?
Legs and feet of sensory and motor homunculi
What part of the brain does the middle cerebral artery supply?
Lateral frontal lobe
Lateral parietal lobe
Superior temporal lobe
What functions of the brain does the middle cerebral artery supply?
Hands and face of sensory and motor homunculi
Visual pathway in temporal lobe i.e. superior optic radiations
What branches does the middle cerebral artery give off?
Lenticulo-striate arteries
What do lenticulo-striate arteries supply?
Motor pathways
Which arteries give rise to the posterior circulation?
Vertebral arteries
How do the vertebral arteries give rise to the posterior circulation?
Join together to form the basilar artery
Also give off
- posterior inferior cerebellar artery
- anterior spinal artery
Where does the basilar artery run?
Midline
Against clivus of occipital bone
What are the branches of the basilar artery?
Anterior inferior cerebellar artery
Pontine branches
Superior cerebellar artery
How does the basilar artery end?
Divides into right and left posterior cerebral arteries
What part of the brain does the posterior cerebral artery supply?
Inferior temporal lobe
Occipital lobe
Brainstem
What do the pontine branches supply?
Pons of brainstem
What does the superior cerebellar artery supply?
Upper cerebellum
Brainstem
What does the anterior inferior cerebellar artery supply?
Front lower cerebellum
Brainstem
What does the posterior inferior cerebellar artery supply?
Back lower cerebellum
Brainstem
What is the circle of Willis?
Circle of arteries supplying the brain
How is the circle of Willis formed?
Anterior communicating artery joins anterior cerebral arteries
Posterior communicating artery joins the anterior and posterior circulations
What is the purpose of the circle of Willis?
Collateral blood supply
So there is still some blood supply to brain tissue in the case of blockage of one of the arteries
What does the anterior spinal artery supply?
Anterior 2/3 of spinal cord
How is the anterior spinal artery formed?
Vertebral arteries give off a branch
Branches join together to form anterior spinal artery
