Cerebral arteries

Cerebral arteries are arteries that supply blood to the brain.

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Middle Cerebral Arteryac

Cererbral blood supply

The internal carotid arteries (ICA) originate at the bifurcation of the left and right common carotid arteries, at the level of the fourth cervical vertebrae (C4).

Once in the cranial cavity, the internal carotids pass anteriorly through the cavernous sinus. Distal to the cavernous sinus, each ICA gives rise to: Ophthalmic artery – supplies the structures of the orbit. Posterior communicating artery – acts as an anastomotic ‘connecting vessel’ in the Circle of Willis (see ‘Circle of Willis’ below). Anterior choroidal artery – supplies structures in the brain important for motor control and vision. Anterior cerebral artery – supplies part of the cerebrum. The internal carotids then continue as the middle cerebral artery, which supplies the lateral portions of the cerebrum. Vertebral Arteries

The vertebral arteries enter the cranial cavity via the foramen magnum. Within the cranial vault, some branches are given off: Meningeal branch – supplies the falx cerebelli, a sheet of dura mater Anterior and posterior spinal arteries – supplies the spinal cord, spanning its entire length. Posterior inferior cerebellar artery – supplies the cerebellum.

Cerebral vascular territories

Problems associated with cerebral arteries - arteriosclerosis

Cerebral arteriosclerosis is the result of thickening and hardening of the walls of the arteries in the brain.

Symptoms

Symptoms of cerebral arteriosclerosis include headache, facial pain, and impaired vision.

Consequences

Cerebral arteriosclerosis can cause serious health problems. If the walls of an artery are too thick, or a blood clot becomes caught in the narrow passage, blood flow to the brain can become blocked and cause an ischemic stroke.

Aneurysms

When the thickening and hardening is uneven, arterial walls can develop bulges (called aneurysms).

Rupture of cerebral aneurysm

If a bulge ruptures, bleeding in the brain can cause a hemorrhagic stroke. Both types of stroke can be fatal.

Vascular dementia

Cerebral arteriosclerosis is also related to a condition known as vascular dementia, in which small, symptom-free strokes cause cumulative damage and death to neurons (nerve cells) in the brain.