Blood Supply of the Brain and Spinal Cord

📋 Course Outline

1. Arterial Sources and Circle of Willis
2. Internal Carotid Artery Course
3. Internal Carotid Branches
4. Vertebral and Basilar Arteries
5. Cerebellar and Cerebral Branches
6. Territorial Brain Arterial Supply
7. Cerebral Venous Drainage
8. Spinal Cord Vascular Supply

📖 1. Arterial Sources and Circle of Willis

🔑 Key Concepts & Definitions

• Circle of Willis : an arterial anastomotic ring located in the interpeduncular fossa at the base of the brain

★ Must-know

• The brain is supplied by two internal carotid arteries and two vertebral arteries, whose branches anastomose on the inferior surface of the brain to form the circle of Willis.

• The circle of Willis includes:

  • the anterior communicating arteries
  • the anterior cerebral arteries
  • the internal carotid arteries
  • the posterior communicating arteries
  • the posterior cerebral arteries
  • the basilar artery

📌 The circle of Willis allows blood entering through either the internal carotid or vertebral arteries to reach either cerebral hemisphere, while cortical and central branches supply the brain substance.

Further detail