This document contains diagrams and descriptions of the major arteries of the brain and their branches. It outlines the anatomy and blood supply of the cerebral circulation, labeling the internal carotid, vertebral, basilar, anterior cerebral, middle cerebral, posterior cerebral and other arteries. It also provides information about clinical syndromes that can result from lesions or occlusions of specific arteries like the posterior cerebral artery.

1. Anatomy of the Cerebral Circulation
Which cranial n.???
8
Posterior cerebral a.
5
Basilar a.
9
Superior
cerebellar a.
Paramedian as.
10
Which cranial n.???
Labyrinthine a.
7
6
AICA
4
PICA
2
Ant. Spinal artery
1
Vertebral a.
3
Post. Spinal a.

2. Anatomy of the Cerebral Circulation
A.C.A.
3
4
Anterior communicating a.
Optic nerve
2
Internal carotid a.
Optic chiasma
5
Posterior communicating a.
Hypophyseal as. of ICA
1
Posterior cerebral a.
Basilar a.

3. What is the artery?

4. What is the artery?

5. PCA
Hypothalamus
Thalamus
Posterior cerebral a
• Midbrain, leading to midbrain lesions (ipsilateral oculomotor paralysis, and
contralateral hemiplegia) = Weber’s syndrome.
• Thalamus, leading to thalamic syndrome.
• Occipital lobe, leading to homonymous hemianopia.

6. During a game, a 26 year old baseball player is hit in
the head by a baseball which fractures the optic
canal. Which pair of structures is most likely to be
damaged ?
a. Optic nerve and Ophthalmic vein
b. Ophthalmic vein and Ophthalmic nerve
c. Ophthalmic artery and Optic nerve
d. Ophthalmic nerve and Optic nerve
e. Ophthalmic artery and Ophthalmic vein

7. The answer is C : the optic canal transmits the
optic nerve and ophthalmic artery. The
ophthalmic vein enter the orbit through the
superior orbital fissure.