Cerebrovascular Anatomy

Question 1

What is known as painless temporary loss of vision in one or both eyes?

Answer 1

Amaurosis fugax

Question 2

What are the principal arteries supplying the head and neck?

Answer 2

Common carotid arteries

Question 3

Where does the RCCA originate?

Answer 3

Brachiocephalic trunk

Question 4

Where does the LCCA originate?

Answer 4

2nd branch off the aortic arch

Question 5

At the level of what vertebrae does the CCA bifurcate into the internal and external carotid arteries?

Answer 5

C4 - same level as the superior border of the thyroid cartilage

Question 6

Is the ECA or ICA larger?

Answer 6

ICA

Question 7

Blood from the ICA is responsible for supplying what structures?

Answer 7

Brain and eyes

Question 8

How would you tell apart the ICA and ECA?

Answer 8

1. ICA is larger and has a bulb at the bifurcation from the CCA
2. The ICA has NO branches off of it

Question 9

What are the 3 main segments of the ICA?

Answer 9

1. Cervical
2. Petrous
3. Intracranial

Question 10

What artery is the first major branch of the intracranial segment of the ICA?

Answer 10

Ophthalmic artery

Question 11

The ECA supplies blood flow to what structures?

Answer 11

Face and neck

Question 12

What is the first branch off the ECA?

Answer 12

Superficial temporal artery

Question 13

What are the anterior branches off the ECA?

Answer 13

1. Superior thyroid
2. Lingual
3. Facial

Question 14

What are the posterior branches off the ECA?

Answer 14

1. Ascending pharyngeal
2. Occipital
3. Posterior auricular

Question 15

ECA terminates into what two arteries?

Answer 15

1. Superficial temporal
2. Internal maxillary

Question 16

Where do the vertebral arteries arise from?

Answer 16

Subclavian artery

Question 17

What artery do the two vertebral arteries join with?

Answer 17

Joins to form basilar artery

Question 18

What is the best known and most important collateral pathway?

Answer 18

Circle of Willis

Question 19

What veins are responsible for drainage of the head and neck?

Answer 19

1. EJV
2. IJV
3. Vertebral veins

Question 20

What does the vertebral vein drain into?

Answer 20

Subclavian vein

Question 21

What vertebrae does the vertebral vein begin?

Answer 21

C6