Finals: Blood Supply

Question 1

What is the Circle of Willis?

Answer 1

A circular anastomosis of arteries located at the base of the brain that ensures consistent blood flow even if one part is blocked or narrowed.

Question 2

Which arteries form the Circle of Willis?

Answer 2

The internal carotid arteries and vertebral arteries.

Question 3

What major branches arise from the aorta?

Answer 3

The left subclavian artery, brachiocephalic artery (which divides into the right common carotid and right subclavian artery), and the left common carotid artery.

Question 4

How do the vertebral arteries reach the brain?

Answer 4

They ascend through the transverse foramina of the cervical vertebrae and enter the cranial cavity through the foramen magnum.

Question 5

What artery is formed by the merging of the two vertebral arteries?

Answer 5

The basilar artery.

Question 6

What does the basilar artery bifurcate into at the level of the midbrain?

Answer 6

The posterior cerebral arteries.

Question 7

What are the major branches of the basilar artery?

Answer 7

Anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA), pontine arteries, and superior cerebellar artery.

Question 8

What are the first branches of the internal carotid arteries?

Answer 8

The ophthalmic artery.

Question 9

What does the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) supply?

Answer 9

The medial portions of the frontal lobes and the superior medial parietal lobes.

Question 10

What artery connects the left and right anterior cerebral arteries?

Answer 10

The anterior communicating artery.

Question 11

What areas do the middle cerebral arteries (MCA) supply?

Answer 11

The lateral aspects of the cerebral hemispheres, including the primary motor and sensory areas of the face, throat, hand, and arm, as well as speech areas.

Question 12

What does the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) supply?

Answer 12

The occipital lobes, the inferior parts of the temporal lobes, and various deep structures including the thalamus and the posterior limb of the internal capsule.

Question 13

What condition results from bleeding into the subarachnoid space?

Answer 13

Subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Question 14

What syndrome results from occlusion of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA)?

Answer 14

Wallenberg Syndrome (Lateral Medullary Syndrome).

Question 15

What syndrome is caused by damage to the anterior spinal artery?

Answer 15

Anterior Cord Syndrome.

Question 15

What is Locked-In Syndrome?

Answer 15

A condition caused by infarction in the pons, often due to basilar artery occlusion, leading to paralysis of all voluntary muscles except for those controlling eye movements.

Question 16

What are Lacunar Infarcts?

Answer 16

Small vessel strokes often affecting deep brain structures due to occlusion of small penetrating arteries.

Question 17

What are the consequences of an anterior cerebral artery (ACA) stroke?

Answer 17

Contralateral hemiparesis, especially in the lower extremity, and behavioral abnormalities.

Question 18

Which artery supplies the anterior portion of the spinal cord?

Answer 18

The anterior spinal artery.

Question 19

What artery supplies the posterior portion of the spinal cord?

Answer 19

The posterior spinal artery.

Question 20

What artery provides blood to the superior portion of the cerebellum?

Answer 20

The superior cerebellar artery.

Question 21

Which artery supplies blood to the inner ear?

Answer 21

The labyrinthine artery.