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Blood Supply of The Brain Andinal Cord

The document provides an overview of the blood supply to the brain and spinal cord, detailing the two major arterial systems: the internal carotid system and the vertebrobasilar system. It describes the Circle of Willis, major cerebral arteries and their territories, and the venous drainage of the brain, along with clinical correlations such as stroke syndromes and aneurysms. Additionally, it outlines the blood supply to the spinal cord and associated clinical notes on ischemia and syndromes.

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Owolabi David
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9 views11 pages

Blood Supply of The Brain Andinal Cord

The document provides an overview of the blood supply to the brain and spinal cord, detailing the two major arterial systems: the internal carotid system and the vertebrobasilar system. It describes the Circle of Willis, major cerebral arteries and their territories, and the venous drainage of the brain, along with clinical correlations such as stroke syndromes and aneurysms. Additionally, it outlines the blood supply to the spinal cord and associated clinical notes on ischemia and syndromes.

Uploaded by

Owolabi David
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Blood Supply to the Brain

and Spinal Cord


Dr. Sanyaolu
Overview of Brain Blood Supply
• Brain receives ~15% of cardiac
output
• Supplied by two major arterial
systems:
• Internal carotid system (anterior
circulation)
• Vertebrobasilar system (posterior
circulation)
Internal Carotid System(Anterior Circulation)
• Supplies ~80% of cerebral blood flow.
• from the common carotid arteries-
bifurcate into the ICA & ECA at C3–C4.
• Branches ICA:
✓Ophthalmic artery
✓Posterior communicating artery
✓Anterior choroidal artery
✓Terminal branches:
• Anterior Cerebral Artery (ACA)
• Middle Cerebral Artery (MCA): supplies
lateral surface of frontal, parietal, & temporal
lobes.
Vertebrobasilar System (Posterior Circulation)
• Supplies ~20% of cerebral blood flow.
• Vertebral arteries-from the subclavian
arteries, ascend through the transverse
foramina of cervical vertebrae (C6–C1), &
enter the skull via foramen magnum.
• 2 vert. arteries forms the basilar artery
which ascends along the ventral pons &
terminates as post. cerebral arteries (PCA).
Key branches:
✓Post. Inf. Cerebellar Artery (PICA)
✓Ant. Inf. Cerebellar Artery (AICA)
✓Sup. Cerebellar Artery (SCA)
✓Post. Cerebral Artery (PCA)
Circle of Willis
• A circular anastomosis at the base
of the brain that connects the
anterior and posterior circulation.
• Components:
• Internal carotid artery (ICA)
• Anterior cerebral artery (ACA)
• Anterior communicating artery
(AComm)
• Posterior cerebral artery (PCA)
• Posterior communicating artery
(PComm)
Function: Collateral circulation to
maintain perfusion if one vessel is
occluded.
Major Cerebral Arteries & Their
Territories
• Anterior cerebral artery (ACA)-
Medial frontal/parietal lobes; lower
limbs
• Middle cerebral artery (MCA)-
Lateral cortex; face, upper limb,
language areas
• Posterior cerebral artery (PCA)-
Occipital lobe, inf. temporal lobe,
thalamus.
Stroke Relevance:
•MCA infarct → contralateral face/arm weakness + aphasia
•ACA infarct → leg weakness
•PCA infarct → visual field loss
Deep Perforating Arteries
• Lenticulostriate arteries
(from MCA): supply basal
ganglia and internal
capsule

• Clinical: prone to lacunar


strokes
Venous Drainage of the Brain
• Superficial cerebral veins →
superior sagittal sinus
• Deep veins (e.g., internal
cerebral vein) → straight sinus
• Drain into internal jugular
vein via transverse & sigmoid
sinuses
• Clinical Note: Dural venous
sinus thrombosis → ↑
intracranial pressure
Spinal Cord Blood Supply
• Anterior spinal artery (from
vertebral arteries)
• Supplies anterior 2/3 of spinal
cord (motor)
• Posterior spinal arteries (paired,
from PICA or vertebral)
• Supply posterior 1/3
(sensory)
• Radicular arteries, including:
• Artery of Adamkiewicz (T9–
L2): major lower cord supply
Clinical Note: Ischemia of anterior spinal artery →
anterior cord syndrome (motor paralysis, sensory loss)
Clinical Correlations
• Stroke syndromes
(MCA/ACA/PCA)
• Aneurysms of Circle of
Willis
• Anterior spinal artery
syndrome
• Subarachnoid hemorrhage
(often ruptured aneurysm)

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