Cerebrovascular Anatomy

Question 1

In the majority of people where does the recurrent artery of Huebner originate?

Answer 1

Junction of the ACA and Acomm (62.3%)
Proximal A2 (23.3%)

Question 2

“Some Anatomists Like Freaking Out Poor Medical Students.” This is a mnemonic for the branches of what major artery? Name the branches.

Answer 2

External Carotid Artery

S = Superior thyroid
A = Ascending pharyngeal
L = Lingual
F = Facial
O = Occipital
P = Posterior Auricular
M = Maxillary
S = Superficial Temporal

Question 3

Describe the location of the artery:

A1

Answer 3

From branch off ICA to Acomm origin

Question 4

Describe the location of the artery:

A2

Answer 4

From branch of Acomm to origin of callosomarginal

Question 5

Describe the location of the artery:

A3

Answer 5

From branch of callosomarginal to superior surface of corpus callosum (~3cm posterior from genu)

Question 6

Describe the location of the artery:

A4

Answer 6

Pericallosal portions

Question 7

Describe the location of the artery:

A5

Answer 7

Terminal branches

Question 8

Describe the location of the artery:

M1

Answer 8

MCA from origin to bifurcation (horizontal segment on AP angiogram)
*Bifurcation seen in ~ 50%

Question 9

Describe the location of the artery:

M2

Answer 9

From MCA bifurcation to Sylvian fissure

Question 10

Describe the location of the artery:

M3 and M4

Answer 10

Distal branches of MCA past the Sylvian fissure

Question 11

Describe the location of the artery:

M5

Answer 11

Terminal branches of MCA

Question 12

Describe the location of the artery:

P1

Answer 12

From origin off basilar to origin of Pcomm

Question 13

Describe the location of the artery:

P2

Answer 13

From origin of Pcomm to branching of inferior temporal arteries

Question 14

Describe the location of the artery:

P3

Answer 14

From origin of inferior temporal arteries to branching of terminal branches

Question 15

Describe the location of the artery:

P4

Answer 15

Portion after branching of parieto-occipital and calcarine arteries; includes the cortical branches of PCA

Question 16

For the most part what is the only cause of hypertrophy of the ascending pharyngeal artery? Why?

Answer 16

Tumors of jugular foramen (since they’re supplied by the pharyngeal branch of the ascending pharyngeal artery)

Question 17

What artery supplies cranial nerves IX, X, and XI? What other artery is it a branch of?

Answer 17

Neuromeningeal artery which is a branch of ascending pharyngeal artery (2nd branch off ECA)

Question 18

What artery is commonly damaged in an epidural hematoma? Where does this artery branch from?

Answer 18

Middle meningeal artery

MMA branches off the maxillary artery which is a branch of the ECA

Question 19

Which branch of the ECA anastomoses with the ophthalmic artery?

Answer 19

Facial artery

Question 20

Relative to the ECA, where does the ICA lay?

Answer 20

Posterior and medial

Question 21

Name the 7 portions of the ICA

Answer 21

C1: Cervical
C2: Petrous
C3: Lacerum
C4: Cavernous
C5: Clinoid
C6: Ophthalmic
C7: Communicating

Question 22

Describe the location of the artery:

Cervical portion of ICA (C1)

Answer 22

From branch off common carotid to entrance into carotid canal at petrous bone

Question 23

Describe the location of the artery:

Petrous portion of ICA (C2)

Answer 23

From entrance into petrous bone (carotid canal) to posterior edge of foramen lacerum

Question 24

Describe the location of the artery:

Lacerum portion of ICA (C3)

Answer 24

From edge of foramen lacerum to point of piercing dura and passing the petrolingual ligament

Question 25

Describe the location of the artery:

Cavernous portion of ICA (C4)

Answer 25

From cavernous sinus to proximal dural ring

Question 26

Describe the location of the artery:

Clinoid portion of ICA (C5)

Answer 26

From proximal to distal dural ring

Question 27

Describe the location of the artery:

Ophthalmic portion of ICA (C6)

Answer 27

From distal dural ring to just proximal to Pcomm

Question 28

Describe the location of the artery:

Communicating portion of ICA (C7)

Answer 28

Proximal to Pcomm origin to point where it bifurcates into ACA and MCA