How many branches of the vertebral artery are there?

How many branches of the vertebral artery are there?

Vertebral artery
Branches Basilar artery Posterior spinal artery Anterior spinal artery Posterior inferior cerebellar artery
Vein Vertebral vein
Identifiers
Latin Arteria vertebralis

What are the branches of the vertebral and internal carotid arteries?

The internal carotid arteries branch to form two major cerebral arteries, the anterior and middle cerebral arteries. The right and left vertebral arteries come together at the level of the pons on the ventral surface of the brainstem to form the midline basilar artery.

What are the 2 main branches of the vertebrobasilar system?

The VB system provides circulation to the cervical spinal cord, cerebellum, brainstem, and posterior cerebrum via its major branches:

  • Vertebral arteries. Anterior spinal arteries supply the cervical spinal cord.
  • Basilar artery.

How many cervical vertebrae are?

Seven bones
The spine above the sacrum consists of: Seven bones in the neck—the cervical spine. 12 bones in the chest—the thoracic spine. Five bones in the lower back—the lumbar spine.

How many cervical vertebrae are there?

Seven bones in the neck—the cervical spine. 12 bones in the chest—the thoracic spine. Five bones in the lower back—the lumbar spine.

What are vertebral arteries?

The vertebral arteries run through the spinal column in the neck to provide blood to the brain and spine. The vertebral arteries are part of the circulatory system. They carry blood to the brain and spinal cord, which are part of the nervous system. Function. Anatomy.

Where does vertebral artery enter cervical spine?

Description. The vertebral artery is a major artery in the neck. It branches from the subclavian artery, where it arises from the posterosuperior portion of the subclavian artery.

What is the cervical vertebrae and its function?

The Bones of Your Neck There are seven bones, each called a cervical vertebra, that are stacked upon one another. These cervical vertebrae are specially shaped and configured to allow for maximum motion while supporting your skull and protecting your spinal cord, neighboring blood vessels, and nerves.

What are the features of cervical vertebrae?

The main anatomical characteristics of a typical cervical vertebra that separate it from other types of vertebrae are the small size, transverse foramina, saddle-shaped body, and bifid spinous process (Fig. 1.7. 18). The atlas (C1) has no body or spinous process (Fig.

What are the vertebral arteries in the brain?

The vertebral arteries have many small branches. The largest branch — the posterior inferior cerebellar artery — is one of three main arteries that provide the cerebellum with blood. Part of the brain, the cerebellum plays a key role in balance, movement, speech and vision. Where are the vertebral arteries?

What does the vertebral artery in the neck supply?

The vertebral arteries in the neck supply blood to the brain and spine. The name vertebral refers to the arteries’ location along the vertebrae, the bones of the spine. You have a left vertebral artery and a right vertebral artery that run through the spinal column.

How do the vertebral arteries travel through the cervical spine?

They then proceed superiorly, in the transverse foramen of each cervical vertebra. Once they have passed through the transverse foramen of C1 (also known as the atlas ), the vertebral arteries travel across the posterior arch of C1 and through the suboccipital triangle before entering the foramen magnum.

What is the terminating branch of the vertebral artery?

The terminating branch of the vertebral artery is the basilar artery. The basilar artery contributes to the circle of Willis. It terminates by bifurcating into two posterior cerebral arteries. Each of these gives off the posterior communicating artery, which anastomoses with the middle cerebral artery, a branch of the internal carotid artery.