basilarisarterien

The basilar artery, or arteria basilaris in Latin, is a major blood vessel in the head. It is formed by the confluence of the two vertebral arteries, which ascend through the neck. The basilar artery then runs superiorly along the anterior surface of the pons, a part of the brainstem.

This artery is a critical component of the Circle of Willis, a complex arterial anastomoses at the base of the brain. It supplies blood to the posterior parts of the brain, including the brainstem, cerebellum, and occipital lobes. It gives rise to several important branches, such as the pontine arteries, labyrinthine artery, superior cerebellar arteries, and posterior cerebral arteries.

The posterior cerebral arteries, in particular, branch off from the basilar artery and supply the occipital lobes, which are responsible for visual processing. Due to its central role in perfusing vital brain structures, occlusion or rupture of the basilar artery can have severe neurological consequences, including stroke, vision loss, and paralysis. Medical imaging techniques like CT angiography or MRI are commonly used to visualize the basilar artery and diagnose any abnormalities.