Blood Supply of the Brain

Question 1

What is the name of the cerebral blood supply system for posterior circulation?

Answer 1

vertebro-basilar system

Question 2

What is the name of the cerebral blood supply system for anterior circulation?

Answer 2

internal carotid arterial system

Question 3

Which cerebral artery is continuous with the external carotid artery?

Answer 3

middle meningeal artery

Question 4

Which lobe(s) or structure(s) does the internal carotid arterial system supply?

Answer 4

frontal, parietal, temporal lobes

Question 5

Which lobe(s) or structure(s) does the vertebro-basilar system supply?

Answer 5

occipital lobe, cerebellum, brainstem, upper cord

Question 6

Where do the 2 arterial systems of the CNS anastomose?

Answer 6

circle of willis

Question 7

What percentage of people have a functioning circle of willis?

Answer 7

30%

Question 8

Is it advantageous to have a functioning circle of willis? Why or why not?

Answer 8

advantageous b/c when brain bleed occurs, blood can still circulate (less likely to be fatal)

Question 9

Which arteries does the circle of willis comprise of?

Answer 9

• middle cerebral artery
• posterior communicating artery
• posterior cerebral artery
• anterior cerebral artery
• anterior communicating artery

Question 10

List the arteries in the vertebrobasilar system.

Answer 10

1. vertebral artery
2. basilar artery
3. posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA)
4. posterior spinal arteries
5. anterior spinal artery
6. anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA)
   (7. Labyrinthine artery)
7. pontine arteries
8. superior cerebellar artery
9. posterior cerebral artery (PCA)

Question 11

List the arteries of the internal carotid arterial supply.

Answer 11

11. internal carotid artery
12. middle cerebral artery (MCA)
13. anterior choroidal artery
14. anterior cerebral artery (ACA)
15. medial striate
16. posterior communicating artery
17. anterior communicating artery

Question 12

What is another name for the medial striate?

Answer 12

Recurrent artery of Heubner

Question 13

Which artery is continuous with the internal carotid artery?

Answer 13

middle cerebral artery (MCA)

Question 14

List the branches of the middle cerebral artery.

Answer 14

1. central artery
2. posterior parietal artery
3. angular branch
4. temporal branches

Question 15

Which two structures deep in the brain does the middle cerebral artery supply?

Answer 15

basal ganglia and thalamus

Question 16

Which parts of the body does the middle cerebral artery supply on the primary motor and somatosensory cortices?

Answer 16

trunk, arms, face, hands

(note: NOT legs and feet)

Question 17

Which major blood vessel supplies the lateral part of the cerebral hemisphere?

Answer 17

middle cerebral artery

Question 18

Which major cerebral blood vessel is the most common area for infarcts and anuerysms?

Answer 18

middle cerebral artery (MCA)

Question 19

What parts of the brain does the middle cerebral artery supply?

Answer 19

• thalamus
• basal ganglia
• sensory and motor strip of the upper body (hands, face, trunk, arms)

Question 20

Which artery supplies the paracentral lobule?

Answer 20

callosomarginal artery

Question 21

List the branches of the anterior cerebral artery.

Answer 21

callosomarginal artery

Question 22

Which major blood vessel supplies the sensory motor strip of the lower body?

Answer 22

anterior cerebral artery (ACA)

Question 23

What is the second most common major blood vessel where infarcts and aneurysms can occur?

Answer 23

anterior cerebral artery (ACA)

Question 24

What parts of the brain does the posterior cerebral artery supply?

Answer 24

• primary visual cortex
• large part of the temporal lobe

Question 25

What is the term for necrotic brain tissue?

Answer 25

infarct

Question 26

What disease is cerebrovascular disease often due to?

Answer 26

atherosclerotic disease

Question 27

What are the 2 types of infarct? What is the difference?

Answer 27

ischemic: due to blockage hemorrhagic: due to rupture

Question 28

Most strokes are: a) ischemic b) hemorrhagic

Answer 28

a) ischemic

Question 29

How does hemorrhagic stroke cause damage?

Answer 29

brain leaks blood/ruptures --> pressure on brain cells damages them

Question 30

What are the 2 main types of hemorrhage?

Answer 30

intracerebral: in the brain subarachnoid: in subarachnoid space

Question 31

How does a hemorrhagic stroke lead to coma?

Answer 31

pressure on brainstem

Question 32

What will spinal tap show if there is a subarachnoid hemorrhage?

Answer 32

blood in CSF

Question 33

Where do epidural hemorrhages occur?

Answer 33

middle meningeal artery and vein

Question 34

Where do subdural hemorrhages occur?

Answer 34

bridging veins (superficial cerebral veins)

Question 35

Where do subarachnoid hemorrhages occur?

Answer 35

aneurysms usually at the base of the brain

Question 36

Where do intracerebral hemorrhages occur?

Answer 36

central (perforating) arteries

Question 37

What are the main after effects of stroke?

Answer 37

- partial paralysis - aphasia - depression - cognitive decline - epileptic fits