Cervical Region-Vertebral Artery

Question 1

The vertebral artery on which sideis typically larger?

Answer 1

left vertebral artery

Question 2

What is the gender bias regarding size of the vertebral artery?

Answer 2

men have larger vertebral arteries than women

Question 3

What was the name of the physical exam used to determine vertebral artery patency?

Answer 3

the vertebrobasilar artery insufficiency test

Question 4

Which side arery was tested during the course of the vertebrobasilar artery insufficiency exam?

Answer 4

the ipsilateral artery on the side of rotation

Question 5

What are the symptoms of failure of the vertebral artery to compensate during vertebrobasilar artery sufficiency exam?

Answer 5

dizziness, vertigo, nausea are common complaints

Question 6

The vertebral artery is typiclly a branch of which artery?

Answer 6

subclavian artery

Question 7

Typically, at what vertebral level will the vertebral artery first become locatedin the transverse foramen?

Answer 7

C6

Question 8

At what location will the vetebral artery form its first compensatory loop?

Answer 8

the atlanto-axial interspace

Question 9

At what location will the vertebral artery form its second compensatory loop?

Answer 9

the atlanto-occipital interspace

Question 10

At what segments will the vertebral artery be firmly attached to the transverse foramen?

Answer 10

both C1 and C2

Question 11

What is the purpose of the vertebral artery loops between C2, C1, and occiput?

Answer 11

the increased length will accommodate the greater rotation at these locations

Question 12

What happens to the vertebral artery after it enters the subarachnoid space at C1?

Answer 12

the vertebral artery ascends along the medulla oblongata to the pontine-medullary junction where the right and left arteries unite to form the basilar artery

Question 13

What artery is formed by the union of the right and left vertebral arteries?

Answer 13

the basilar artery