Blood Supply to Brain and Spinal Cord Flashcards
How is the brain supplied with blood?
By anatomoses between the internal carotid arteries and the vertebral arteries
Where do the arteries supplying the brain anastomose?
At the circulus arteriosus / Circle of Willis
What completes the circulation around the circle of Willis?
The anterior and posterior communicating arteries
Where do the cerebellar arteries given off from the circle of Willis run into?
The subarachnoid space
What is the advantage of the anastomoses provided by the circle of Willis?
It provides enough anastomoses so that in theory, any blockage of one of the arteries will allow sufficient blood supply to reach and perfuse the region
What route does the internal carotid artery take in the skull?
It runs in the carotid canal of the petrous temporal bone, passing through the cavernous sinus, to enter the middle cranial fossa
What does the internal jugular vein divide into?
Anterior, , middle, and posterior communicating arteries
What does the posterior communicating artery join with?
The posterior cerebral artery
What course do the vertebral arteries take?
They ascend through the transverse foramen in the upper 6 cervical vertebrae, and enter the posterior cranial fossa via the foramen magnum
What is formed when the two vertebral arteries unite?
The basilar artery
Where do the vertebral arteries unite to form the basilar artery?
At the lower border of the pons
What happens to the basilar artery?
It bifurcates to form the posterior cerebral artery
Label this diagram showing the arteries of the Circle of Willis
A - Anterior communicating artery B - Anterior cerebral artery C - Opthlamic artery D - Anterior choroidal artery E - Posterior cerebral artery F - Superior cerebellar artery G - Basilar artery H - Anterior inferior cerebellar artery I - Vertebral artery J - Posterior inferior cerebellar artery K - Anterior spinal artery L - Pontine arteries M - Posterior communicating arteries N - Middle cerebral artery O - Internal cartoid artery
What arteries provide the cerebral cortical supply?
Anterior cerebral arteries Middle cerebreal arteries Posterior cerebral arteries
What do the anterior cerebral arteries supply?
The medial surfaces of the frontal and parietal lobes, continuing to the parieto-occipital sulcus Leg area of motor and somatosensory cortex
What do the middle cerebral arteries supply?
The lateral surface of the cerebral cortex Most of the dorsilateral surface The motor and sensory area of the central sulcus, apart from the leg areas Speech and language areas
How does the middle cerebral artery differ from the anterior?
It is larger