Basilar artery

"Basilar" redirects here. For other uses, see Basilar (disambiguation).
Basilar artery

The basilar artery (middle of figure) arises from the vertebral arteries and terminates when it bifurcates in the left and right posterior cerebral arteries.

The arteries of the base of the brain. Basilar artery labeled below center. The temporal pole of the cerebrum and the cerebellar hemisphere have been removed on the right side. Inferior aspect (viewed from below).
Details
Latin Arteria basilaris
Source
 Vertebral arteries
Branches
 Anterior inferior cerebellar, posterior cerebral, superior cerebellar arteries and pontine branches
Supplies Superior and inferior aspects of the cerebellum
pons
Identifiers
Gray's p.580
MeSH A07.231.114.106
TA A12.2.07.081
FMA 50542
Anatomical terminology

In human anatomy, the basilar artery is one of the arteries that supplies the brain with oxygen-rich blood.

The two vertebral arteries and the basilar artery are sometimes together called the vertebrobasilar system, which supplies blood to the posterior part of circle of Willis and anastomoses with blood supplied to the anterior part of the circle of Willis from the internal carotid arteries.

Course

It arises from the confluence of the two vertebral arteries at the junction between the medulla oblongata and the pons.

It ascends in the central gutter (sulcus basilaris) inferior to the pons and divides into the posterior cerebral arteries and the superior cerebellar arteries just inferior to the pituitary stalk.

From the basilar artery arises the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (supplying the superior and inferior aspects of the cerebellum), as well as smaller branches for the supply of the pons (the pontine branches).

In under 15% of people the basilar artery gives rise to the labyrinthine artery.

Additional images

External links

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