Blood Supply to the Brain

Question 1

Which arteries supply most of the total cerebral blood flow?

Answer 1

Carotid arteries supply 80%, vertebral arteries supply 20%

Question 2

Which areas of the cortex does the middle cerebral artery supply?

Answer 2

Supplies most of the lateral outer surface of the brain

Question 3

Which areas of the cortex does the anterior cerebral artery supply?

Answer 3

Top of the outer surface of the brain and most of the medial surface

Question 4

Which areas of the cortex does the posterior cerebral artery supply?

Answer 4

Posterior brain portions (medially and laterally)

Question 5

What structures does the vertebral artery supply?

Answer 5

Spinal cord and the dorsal medulla of the brainstem (via PICA)

Question 6

What structures does the basilar artery supply?

Answer 6

Supplies the pons and cerebellum

Question 7

What structures does the posterior cerebral artery supply?

Answer 7

Inferior and medial aspects of the temporal/occipital cortex, thalamus, posterior internal capsule and midbrain

Question 8

What is the consequence of a stroke involving the middle cerebral artery?

Answer 8

If it’s in the dominant hemisphere: global aphasia and sensorimotor loss of contralateral body

In non-dominant hemisphere: neglect syndrome

Question 9

What is the consequence of a stroke involving the anterior cerebral artery?

Answer 9

Contralateral sensorimotor loss (below waist),urinary incontinence, personality defects, split-brain syndrome

Question 10

What is the consequence of a stroke involving the posterior cerebral artery?

Answer 10

Contralateral homonymous hemianopsia and reading and writing deficits

Question 11

What is an epidural/extradural haematoma?

Answer 11

Bleeding between the dura mater and the skull, this is a rapid arterial bleed.

Question 12

What is a subdural haematoma?

Answer 12

Bleeding between the dura mater and the arachnoid mater from the bridging veins

Question 13

What is a subarachnoid haematoma?

Answer 13

A spontaneous bleed between the arachnoid and pia mater

Question 14

Which artery is often implicated in epidural haematomas?

Answer 14

Middle meningeal or anterior ethmoid artery

Question 15

What are the potential symptoms of an epidural haematoma?

Answer 15

Compression of intracranial structures such as CN III, contralateral weakness of extremities and loss of opposite visual field

Question 16

What is the common cause of a subdural haematoma?

Answer 16

Rapid acceleration and deceleration

Question 17

What are the potential symptoms of a subarachnoid haematoma?

Answer 17

Severe (thunderclap) headache, vomiting, confusion

Question 18

What are the three types of aneurysm?

Answer 18

Saccular, fusiform and berry

Question 19

What is Wallenburg syndrome (lateral medullary syndrome)?

Answer 19

Sudden onset condition which affects PICA leading to vertigo, nausea, dysphonia, loss of pain/temperature on contractural side, and loss of pain and temperature in the ipsilateral face. There is also loss of gag reflex and an ipsilateral horner syndrome