Cerebral vascular anatomy and vascular territories
Extracranial vessels
Vertebral arteries
• V1 – origin (subclavan) to the point of entrance into
cervical tranverse process (usually C6)
• V2 – passes through tranverse processes to C2
• V3 – Exit at C2, laterally and posteriorly to pass
through transverse process of C1, the posteriomedial in a groove on the upper
surface of posterior arch of C1.
• V4 – Pierces dura and extends through foramen magnum –
up to basilar artery
Diagnostic imaging - Spine
Intracranial vessels
Middle
cerebral artery
(From Neurovascular imaging –
2011)
MCA divides in 3 patterns:
·
Bifurcation into
superior and inferior divisions (78%) – (b)
·
Trifurcation into
superior, middle inferior (12% - (C)
·
Division into
multiple divions
Recurrent Artery of
Heubner – can have variable origin
before or after A1/A2 junction
Posterior
circulation
Artery of Percheron – a variant
of the thalamoperforate arteries
Cerebral vascular territories
Brainstem
