Arterial Blood Supply To the Brain Flashcards
Identify the arterial branches here
Which 2 main blood vessles branch to supply the brain?
The Internal carotid artery - supplies the anterior circulation
The Vertebral arteries - supplies the posterior circulation
What do the pontine arteries supply? What is the effect of occlusion of the pontine arteries?
Pontine arteries supply the pons
Motor pathways going down the spinal cord are supplied by these… occlusion leads to locked in syndrome
Which is the largest cerebral artery and the most commonly involved in stroke?
Middle cerebral artery
Where does the anterior cerebral artery supply?
Courses down the midline and arches over corpus callosum to supply the medial aspect of the cerebral hemisphere
Which branch of internal carotid goes on to supply the structures of the orbit?
The opthalmic artery
Which structure does the circle of willis surround?
The pituitary
What does the basilar artery bifurcate to form?
Bifurcates to form the posterior cerebral arteries
What does the posterior cerebral arteries supply?
Runs backwards to form the structures at the back of the cerebrum- occipital lobe and part of temporal lobe
What is the function of the posterior communicating arteries?
Connect anterior and posterior circulations
Variable between all humans, occlusion of vessel can find alternative routes by posterior communicting arteries but not guaranteed for everyone)
Where does the anterior communicating artery connect?
Connects the middle cerebral artery to the anterior cerebral artery
Where does the posterior inferior cerebrallar artery supply?
Supplies posterior, inferior part of the cerebellum including the medulla
What does the anterior spinal artery supply? What is its clinical significance?
Travels down the anterior surface of the spinal cord to supply the anterior 2/3 of the spinal cord
Significance: can have spinal cord stroke, common after spinal cord surgery
Identify the blood supply to each of these regions
A= anterior cerebral artery
M = Middle cerebral artery (majority of lateral cerebral hemisphere)
P= Posterior cerebral artery
Which limbs would an infarct to the anterior portion of the cerebrum, and an infarct to the middle portion of the cerebrum affect respectively?
Anterior- would affect the lower limb
Middle- would affect the upper limb
What are the branches of the middle cerebral artery that supply the deep structures of the brain?
Lenticulostriate arteries
Supply the internal capsule and the basal ganglia
Identify this branch of the posterior cerebral artery.
What is the clinical significance of an occlusion of this artery?
Thalamogeniculate artery supplies the thalamus
Occlusion of the posterior cerebral artery/ this artery can cause damage to the thalamus and therefore affects somatosensory function
