Neuroanatomy: CNS Vasculature

Question 1

Major Arterial Supply to the Brain

Answer 1

Provides 2 sources of blood to the brain from the internal carotid (ica) artery and the vertebral artery (va). The Subclavian artery is the source for these arteries.

Question 2

Anterior Cerebral Artery (aca)

Answer 2

Fed by internal carotid. Feeds into medial surface of brain and covers frontal, parietal, and a little of the occipital lobe

Question 3

Middle Cerebral Artery (mca)

Answer 3

Fed by Internal Carotid. Feeds insula lobe and lateral surface of the brain

Question 4

Posterior Cerebral Artery (pca)

Answer 4

Fed by vertebral/basilar (ba) artery. Feeds the occipital lobe and part of the temporal.

Question 5

Superior Cerebellar Artery (sca)

Answer 5

Fed by Vertebral/basilar artery. Feeds cerebellum

Question 6

Anterior inferior cerebellar (aica)

Answer 6

usually branches from basilar artery. Feeds cerebellum

Question 7

Posterior inferior cerebellar (pica)

Answer 7

usually branches from vertebral artery. Feeds cerebellum.

Question 8

Circle of Willis connecting arteries

Answer 8

Includes internal carotid, anterior cerebral, (anterior communicating), middle cerebral, (posterior communicating), Vertebral, basilar, posterior cerebral, superior cerebellar, anterior inferior cerebellar, posterior inferior cerebellar

Question 9

Blood-brain-barrier

Answer 9

bbb protects foreign bodies/chemicals from entering the brain and protecting neurons. Created by capillaries in brain and the end processes of astrocytes. Access is restricted to glucose and alcohol, and transport is facilitated by amino acids