Basilar artery
Last edit by Alaric Steinmetz on
Synonyms: basilar artery
The basilar artery is an artery of the brain that arises from the union of the right and left vertebral artery.
Anatomy
The basilar artery arises at the junction between the Medulla oblongata and the pons through the union of the two vertebral arteries on the clivus of the skull base. It courses superiorly in the basilar sulcus of the pons. Along its course, the basilar artery gives off multiple perforators to the brainstem[^1].
Imaging
The basilar artery can be optimally visualized by digital subtraction angiography. The basilar artery can also be visualized on MRI and computed tomography.
Clinical relevance
aneurysms at the bifurcation of the basilar artery into the posterior cerebral artery are common and are referred to as basilar tip aneurysms.
