Blood Supply of the Brain

main arteries that supply the brain

vertebral and internal carotid

path of internal carotid artery

goes to middle cranial fossa → curves a lot → loops back around in cavernous sinus

path of vertebral artery

through transverse foramen and foramen magnum to the circle of willis

collateral circulation

term used to describe the circle of willis because if it gets blocked blood can still flow

path of circle of willis

vertebral artery → form basilar artery → splits into posterior cerebral arteries → gives off posterior communicating arteries → connects to internal carotid arteries → gives rise to anterior cerebral arteries → arteries connect via anterior communicating artery