Blood supply to brain

Question 1

Which are the two main arteries supplying blood to the brain, where do they enter the brain, and which areas of the brain do they supply?

Answer 1

Internal Carotid Artery - enters brain through carotid canal in middle cranial fossa. Supplies cerebral cortex, and midbrain

Vertebral Artery - enters brain through foramen magnum in occiput, and unites to form the basilar artery. Vertebral artery supplies the upper spinal cord and medulla.

Question 2

Which are the cerebral arteries and which areas do they supply?

Answer 2

Anterior cerebral artery - supplies medial and superior portion of cerebrum (frontal & parietal lobes)

Middle cerebral artery - supplies lateral and superior portion of cerebrum (frontal, parietal and temporal lobes)

Posterior cerebral artery - supplies inferior and posterior cerebrum (occiput and inferior temporal lobe). Also supplies diencephalon and midbrain

Question 3

Which are the cerebellar arteries and which areas do they supply?

Answer 3

The superior cerebellar artery arises from the basilar artery. It supplies the superior cerebellum and inferior pons

The anterior inferior cerebellar artery arises from the basilar artery. It supplies the cerebellum and inferior medulla

The posterior inferior cerebellar artery arises from the vertebral artery. It supplies the cerebellum and inferior medulla

Question 4

Which sections of the brain does the basilar artery innervate?

Answer 4

The pons

Question 5

Which arteries arise from the basilar artery?

Answer 5

The posterior cerebral artery, the superior cerebellar artery, the anterior inferior cerebellar artery, and the pontine arteries

Question 6

Describe the pathway and supply of the anterior and posterior spinal arteries

Answer 6

Anterior spinal artery arises from the vertebral arteries - two inital branches converge into a single artery. Runs anteriorly down the spinal cord in the ventral fissure and supplies the anterior two thirds of the spinal cord.

Posterior spinal arteries arise from the posterior inferior cerebellar artery. Run along the dorsal aspect of the spinal cord (one each side) and supply the dorsal third of the spinal cord

Question 7

Which arteries supply the medulla?

Answer 7

The vertebral, and the PICA (inferolateral)

Question 8

Which arteries supply the pons?

Answer 8

The basilar, and the AICA (inferior)

Question 9

Which arteries supply the midbrain?

Answer 9

The posterior cerebellar artery

Question 10

Which arteries supply the cerebellum?

Answer 10

The superior cerebellar, anterior inferior cerebellar, and posterior inferior cerebellar arteries

Question 11

Which arteries are implicated in lateral medullary syndrome?

Answer 11

PICA or vertebral

Question 12

Which arteries are implicated in medial medullary syndrome?

Answer 12

anterior spinal or vertebral arteries