Cranial Anatomy

Question 1

The Circle of Willis is an anastomosis of which arteries?

Answer 1

Internal Carotid arteries and Vertebral arteries.

Form anastomosis on inferior surface of the brain

Question 2

The circle of Willis and it’s branches supply which parts of the brain?

Answer 2

• corpus striatum
• internal capsule
• diencephalon
• midbrain

Question 3

How do the vertebral arteries enter the cranial cavity and what do they unite to form?

Answer 3

• Enter via Foramen Magnum
• Unite to form the Basilar artery at the base of the pons

Question 4

What are the 3 branches of the Vertebral artery?

Answer 4

• Posterior spinal artery
• Anterior spinal artery
• Posterior inferior cerebellar artery (largest)

Question 5

Which nerve separates the superior cerebellar artery from the posterior cerebral artery?

Answer 5

Oculomotor nerve

Question 6

What visual defect would occlusion of the posterior cerebral artery cause?

Answer 6

Contralateral loss of the visual field

Question 7

What are the branches of the Basilar artery? (Proximal to vertebral to distal)

Answer 7

• Anterior inferior cerebellar artery
• Labyrinthine artery
• Pontine arteries
• Superior cerebellar artery
• Posterior cerebral artery (at point of bifurcation)

Question 8

Decompression of which artery is an established therapy for trigeminal neuralgia?

Answer 8

Superior cerebellar artery

Question 9

What does the Anterior Pituitary develop from and what does it secrete?

Answer 9

Develops from Rathkes pouch

Secretes:
- GH
- TSH
- ACTH
- Prolactin
- LH and FSH
- Melanocyte releasing hormone

Question 10

What structure attaches the pituitary gland to the hypothalamus?

Answer 10

Infundibulum

Question 11

What are the 4 main LMN lesion signs (below L1)?

Answer 11

• Flaccid paralysis of muscles
• Atrophy of muscles
• Loss of reflexes of muscles
• Muscles fasciculation