Blood Supply in the Head & Neck Flashcards
1
Q
Circle of Willis diagram
A
2
Q
Give other branches of the vertebral arteries not on the Circle of Willis Diagram
A
- Posterior meningeal artery
- Gives branch to the medulla
- Posterior spinal artery
3
Q
Path of the vertebral arteries
A
- Branch of subclavian arteries
- Ascend in neck through foramina in transverse processes (C6 up)
- Enter the cranial cavity at the foramen magnum
4
Q
Path of the internal carotid arteries
A
- Branch of common carotid (aorta, left; brachiocephalic, right)
- Enters carotid foramen, turns 90º towards apex of petrous temporal bone
- Emerges superior to cartilage of foramen lacerum
- Turns 90° travelling anteriorly grooving body of sphenoid
- Turns upwards, piercing roof of sinus
- Gives of ophthalmic artery
5
Q
Branches of external carotid artery (S→I)
A
- Superficial Temporal
- Maxillary (gives MMA)
First two in parotid,
- Posterior auricular
- Occipital
- Facial
- Lingual
- Superior thyroid
6
Q
Discuss the middle meningeal artery
A
- Branch of maxillary
- Enters cranium via foramen spinosum
- 2 branches - anterior passes deep to pterion
- Can rupture with blows to head
7
Q
Types of intracranial haemorrhage
A
- Extradural
- Subdural
- Subarachnoid
- Intracerebral
8
Q
Extradural haemorrhage
A
Rupture of meningeal arteries, lifts periosteum away from the bone
9
Q
Subdural haemorrhage
A
Rupture of cerebral veins after minor head injuries, especially in the elderly
10
Q
Subarachnoid haemorrhage
A
Head injury or ‘berry’ aneurysm giving thunderclap headache
NB: major arteries of brain are in subarachnoid space
11
Q
Intracerebral haemorrhage
A
Spontaneous (e.g. stroke) or after head injury
12
Q
Vertebral-basilar ischaemia/insufficiency
A
- Decreased flow to posterior cerebral circulation
- Affects: medulla, cerebellum, pons, midbrain, thalamus & occipital cortex
- Symptoms: vertigo, diplopia & blurred vision
