What is a basilar level?

The basilar artery is a large vessel that ascends along the ventral surface of the pons. It originates in the midline at the pontomedullary junction from the union of the vertebral arteries. The vessel then travels in a relatively shallow groove on the pons known as the basilar groove, within the pontine cistern.

What is basilar system?

The basilar artery is part of the blood supply system for the brain and central nervous system. It is formed where the two vertebral arteries join at the base of the skull. The basilar artery carries oxygenated blood to the cerebellum, brainstem, and occipital lobes.

What is basilar disease?

Vertebrobasilar insufficiency is a condition characterized by poor blood flow to the posterior (back) portion of the brain, which is fed by two vertebral arteries that join to become the basilar artery. Blockage of these arteries occurs over time through a process called atherosclerosis, or the build-up of plaque.

What does basilar artery do?

The basilar artery is the main artery at the back portion of your brain. It carries oxygen-rich blood to your brainstem, cerebellum and occipital lobes. Several conditions can disrupt blood flow in the brain.

What does basilar mean in anatomy?

situated at the base
pertaining to or situated at the base, especially the base of the skull.

What happens if the basilar artery is damaged?

The basilar artery plays a critical role in supplying blood to regions of the brain like the cerebellum, brainstem, and occipital lobes. If this vessel is compromised in some way, a stroke can occur.

What part of the brain is the basilar tip in?

The basilar artery lies at the front of the brainstem in the midline and is formed from the union of the two vertebral arteries. Diagram of the arterial circulation at the base of the brain (inferior view). The basilar artery terminates by splitting into the left and right posterior cerebral arteries.

What happens when the basilar artery is blocked?

Most commonly, patients experiencing basilar artery occlusion exhibit acute neurologic signs including motor deficits, hemiparesis or quadriparesis, and facial palsies, dizziness, headache, and speech abnormalities–especially dysarthria and difficulty articulating words.

What is a basilar stroke?

A basilar artery stroke is a type of posterior stroke, which means it affects circulation at the back of the brain. Because the basilar artery supplies blood to the cerebellum, occipital lobes, and brainstem, all of which have different functions, this type of stroke can present in a number of different ways. 4.

What brain areas does basilar artery supply?

The basilar artery (BA) serves as the main conduit for blood flow through the posterior circulation. It directly supplies the brainstem and cerebellum and provides distal blood flow to the thalami and medial temporal and parietal lobes.

What are the symptoms of a basilar artery stroke?

Basilar Artery Stroke Symptoms

  • Severe headache (without a cause)
  • Numbness or weakness in the leg, arm, or face.
  • Dizziness, loss of balance, or trouble walking.
  • Double vision or loss of vision.
  • Loss of coordination.
  • Difficulty swallowing.
  • Trouble breathing.
  • Difficulty speaking or understanding speech.