Session 4 - Lecture 2: Arterial Supply to the Brain

Question 1

Name the main arteries that contribute to the anterior circulation of the brain.

Answer 1

Anterior cerebral artery, anterior communicating artery, ophthalmic artery, middle cerebral artery, internal carotid artery and anterior choroidal artery.

Question 2

Name the main arteries that contribute to the posterior circulation of the brain.

Answer 2

Posterior communicating artery, posterior cerebral artery, superior cerebellar artery, basilar artery, pontine arteries, anterior inferior cerebellar artery, vertebral artery, posterior inferior cerebellar artery and anterior spinal artery.

Question 3

What structure do the arteries of the brain’s anterior and posterior circulation form?

Answer 3

Circle of Willis.

Question 4

What areas of the brain does the anterior cerebral supply?

Answer 4

Supplies the medial aspect of the cerebral hemispheres, mainly the frontal and parietal lobes and a small strip located just laterally to these.

Question 5

What artery does the anterior cerebral artery go on to join with?

Answer 5

Middle cerebral artery which further divides into a superior and inferior division.

Question 6

What artery is responsible for connecting the two anterior cerebral arteries (left and right)?

Answer 6

Anterior communicating artery.

Question 7

What important artery branches off the ophthalmic artery?

Answer 7

Central retinal artery.

Question 8

What parts of the human body can an occlusion of the middle cerebral artery affect and with what clinical condition does this commonly occur?

Answer 8

Effects on upper limbs and face (paraesthesia) commonly involved stroke.

Question 9

Describe the location and course of the posterior cerebral artery.

Answer 9

This artery loops around the midbrain on its way to the occipital lobes and inferior surface of the temporal lobes.

Question 10

What is the main role of the superior cerebellar artery?

Answer 10

Supplies blood to the superior cerebellum.

Question 11

What artery bifurcates to form two superior cerebellar arteries and what is the clinical consequence of an occlusion here?

Answer 11

Basilar artery, found anterior to the pons.

Clinical consequence = locked in syndrome where motor function is lost.

Question 12

Describe where pontine arteries emerge from and describe their role within the brain.

Answer 12

As the basilar artery runs in front of the pond, these arteries emerge to supply the anterior surface of the pons which contain descending motor fibres.

Question 13

What two arteries join to form the basilar artery and what significant structure do these arteries run through?

Answer 13

Vertebral arteries join to form the basilar artery and run through the transverse foramen in cervical vertebrae.

Question 14

What two arteries supply the anterior inferior and posterior cerebellum and what significant structure do they pass through?

Answer 14

Anterior inferior and posterior inferior cerebellar arteries respectively. These both pass through the foramen magnum in the ventral aspect of the brainstem.

Question 15

What is the main role of the anterior spinal artery?

Answer 15

Supplies the anterior 2/3 of the spinal cord (everything apart from the dorsal columns).

Question 16

What is the name of the multiple arteries that branch off the middle cerebral artery and what is their function?

Answer 16

Lenticulostriate arteries supply the basal ganglia and internal capsule (major white matter pathway carrying motor fibres).

Question 17

What artery is responsible for supplying blood to the thalamus, include any significant branches?

Answer 17

Posterior cerebral artery, the thalamoperforator and thalamogeniculate branches specifically.