Basilar artery
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211934873
2008-05-12T19:26:20Z
Thingg
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Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/206.110.235.19|206.110.235.19]] ([[User talk:206.110.235.19|talk]]) to last version by Thijs!bot
{{Infobox Artery
| Name = {{PAGENAME}}
| Latin = arteria basilaris
| GraySubject = 148
| GrayPage = 580
| Image = Circle of Willis en.svg
| Caption = The '''basilar artery''' (middle of figure) arises from the [[vertebral artery|vertebral arteries]] and terminates when it bifurcates in the left and right [[posterior cerebral artery|posterior cerebral arteries]].
| Image2 = Arteries_beneath_brain_Gray_closer.jpg
| Caption2 = The arteries of the base of the brain. Basilar artery labeled below center. The [[temporal lobe|temporal]] pole of the [[cerebrum]] and a portion of the [[cerebellum|cerebellar]] hemisphere have been removed on the right side. Inferior aspect (viewed from below).
| Width = 335px
| BranchFrom = [[vertebral artery|vertebral arteries]] |
| BranchTo = [[anterior inferior cerebellar artery]] <BR> pontine branches |
| Vein = |
| Supplies = superior and inferior aspects of the [[cerebellum]] <BR> [[pons]] |
| MeshName = Basilar+Artery |
| MeshNumber = A07.231.114.106 |
}}
In [[human anatomy]], the '''basilar artery''' is one of the [[artery|arteries]] that supplies the [[brain]] with oxygen-rich blood.
The two vertebral arteries and the basilar artery are sometimes together called the '''vertebrobasilar system''', which supplies blood to the posterior part of [[circle of Willis]] and anastomoses with blood supplied to the anterior part of the circle of Willis from the carotid arteries.
==Course==
It arises from the confluence of the two [[vertebral artery|vertebral arteries]] at the junction between the [[medulla oblongata]] and the [[pons]].
It ascends in the central gutter (sulcus basilaris) inferior to the [[pons]] and divides into the [[posterior cerebral artery|posterior cerebral arteries]] and the [[superior cerebellar artery]] just inferior to the pituitary stalk.
From the basilar artery arises the [[anterior inferior cerebellar artery]] (supplying the superior and inferior aspects of the [[cerebellum]]), as well as smaller branches for the supply of the pons (the pontine branches).
==Pathology==
[[Thrombosis]] of the basilar artery can be life-threatening, as it leads to hypoxia and ischemia of the brainstem.
Poor prognoses are common and these can include paralysis of all extremities, heavy disturbances in sensation, difficulty in swallowing and difficulty in respiration.
Basilar artery thrombosis is the most common cause of [[locked-in syndrome]].<ref name="pmid17495762">{{cite journal |author=Young NP, Dyck PJ, Wijdicks EF |title=Locked-in syndrome due to invasive fungal rhinosinusitis in an immunosuppressed patient |journal=The neurologist |volume=13 |issue=3 |pages=158–60 |year=2007 |pmid=17495762 |doi=10.1097/01.nrl.0000263701.15487.97}}</ref>
==Additional images==
[[Image:Circulus arteriosus schaf.jpg|left|thumb|200px|cr = Arteria cerebri rostralis, cm = Arteria cerebri media, ma = Arteria maxillaris, RZ = Retezuflüsse, ci = Arteria carotis interna, rm = Rete mirabile, ba = Arteria basilaris]]
{| class=wikitable align=right width=220px
|-
|The internal carotid <small>&</small> vertebral arteries <small>(Right side view)</small>.
|[[Image:Gray513.png|right|120x120px]]
|}
{{-}}
<gallery>
Image:Gray679.png|Medulla oblongata and pons. Anterior surface.
Image:Gray721.png|The [[hypophysis cerebri]], in position. Shown in [[sagittal]] section.
Image:Cerebral angiography, arteria vertebralis sinister injection.JPG|Cerebral angiogram showing the [[Transverse plane|transverse projection]] of the [[vertebral artery|vertebro]]-basilar and [[posterior cerebral]] circulation.
Image:Human brainstem blood supply description.JPG|Human brainstem blood supply
</gallery>
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
* [http://www.merck.com/media/mmhe2/figures/fg086_1.gif Diagram at merck.com]
* {{SUNYAnatomyLabs|28|09|02|04}} - "Cranial Fossae: Arteries, Inferior Surface of the Brain"
* [http://www.neuropat.dote.hu/table/erell.htm Blood supply at neuropat.dote.hu]
* {{RocheLexicon|13048.000-1}}
* {{RocheLexicon|13048.000-3}}
{{Arteries of head and neck}}
[[Category:Arteries]]
[[Category:Head and neck]]
{{circulatory-stub}}
[[de:Arteria basilaris]]
[[fr:Artère basilaire]]
[[it:Arteria basilare]]
[[la:Arteria basilaris]]
[[nds:Arteria basilaris]]
[[pl:Tętnica podstawna]]