Module 8 - vascular supply Flashcards
(16 cards)
Where does the common carotid artery originate, and what are its branches?
The aorta. In the neck region, it splits into the external carotid artery and the internal carotid artery.
What does the external carotid artery supply?
The exterior muscles/skin/tissues of the face.
What is the path of the internal carotid artery? What are its branches?
It continues into the skull through the carotid foramen and branches into the anterior cerebral artery and the middle cerebral artery.
What is the path of the bilateral vertebral arteries?
They branch off the subclavian artery and travel through foramina transversaria up the spine. They then travel through the foramen magnum to the anterior brainstem.
What is the basilar artery, and where is it formed? What does it split into?
When the two vertebral arteries join at the ventral pons. It splits into the R/L posterior cerebral arteries.
What is the circle of Willis?
A circle of communication between the arteries.
The anterior communication artery connects the ACAs. The posterior communication artery connects the PCA to the internal carotid artery on each side.
Where do the major cerebral arteries travel to different regions of the brain?
The subarachnoid space.
What regions are supplied by the ACA?
The entire medial cortex from the frontal lobes to the anterior parietal lobes. Smaller branches wrap around to supply a strip of the superior/medial cortex.
What regions are supplied by the PCA?
The inferior/medial temporal lobe and occipital lobe.
Smaller branches wrap around to the lateral occipital lobe.
What are the divisions of the MCA, and what regions to they supply?
Superior branch
- supplies the lateral frontal lobe and the anterior parietal lobe
Inferior branch
- supplies the anterolateral and superior aspect of the temporal lobe, and the posterior parietal cortex.
Deep branch
- supplies the body of the caudate and the lentiform nucleus.
What does the deep branch of the PCA supply?
The thalamus.
Describe the path of the cerebral venous system.
Bridging veins -> arachnoid granulations -> superior sagittal sinus -> inferior sagittal sinus -> transverse sinus -> jugular vein -> subclavian vein -> heart
Describe the difference between a thrombus and an embolism.
Thrombus
- A blood clot caused by atherosclerotic plaque buildup, blocking arterial blood flow.
Embolus
- Material from other parts of the body that lodges into smaller cerebral arteries and causes an embolism.
Why is an aneurysm problematic?
It causes a subarachnoid hematoma, which leads to instant death.
If there is damage to lateral vessels (MCA), what will the symptoms be?
Contralateral UMN symptoms and sensory deficits in the arms, trunk, and face.
If there is damage to medial vessels (ACA), what will the symptoms be?
Contralateral UMN symptoms and sensory deficits in the lower limbs.
