Vertebral Artery Flashcards
The vertebral artery supplies __% of the blood to the brain
20
What artery does the vertebral artery originate from?
subclavian
What are the 4 portions of the vertebral artery?
1) proximal
2) transverse
3) suboccipital
4) intracranial
The proximal portion of the vertebral artery runs from where to where?
From the subclavian artery to the transverse foramen of C6
The transverse portion of the vertebral artery runs from where to where?
From C6 to the transverse foramen of C2
The suboccipital portion of the vertebral artery runs from where to where?
From C2 to its point of penetration into the spinal canal
When and where is the VA most vulnerable to compression and stretching?
At the level of C1-C2 with cervical rotation
The intracranial portion of the vertebral artery runs from where to where?
From the foramen magnum to the formation of the basilar artery at the lower border of the pons
What are the 5 branches off of the VA?
1) meningeal branches
2) anterior spinal artery
3) posterior spinal artery
4) muscular branches
5) posterior inferior cerebellar artery
Why does vertebrobasilar insufficiency occur?
Because of the VA’s close proximity to the bony and ligamentous structures of the cervical spine
What are 2 possible external causes of vertebrobasilar insufficiency?
- extrancranial compression
- extrancranial dissection
What is the most common mechanism for a non-penetrating trauma injury to the VA?
Hyperextension of the neck, with or without cervical rotation or side-bending
What are 5 possible internal causes of vertebrobasilar insufficiency?
- atherosclerosis
- thrombosis
- arterial fibrodysplasia
- Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome
- arteriovenous fistulas
What is Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome?
A condition that affects the development of blood vessels, soft tissues, and bones
What are arteriovenous fistulas?
Abnormal connections between arteries and veins
