| Vertebral artery | |
|---|---|
 Arteries of the neck. The vertebral arteries arise from the subclavian arteries and join to form the basilar artery | |
| Details | |
| Source | Subclavian artery |
| Branches | Basilar artery Posterior spinal artery Anterior spinal artery Posterior inferior cerebellar artery |
| Vein | Vertebral vein |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | arteria vertebralis |
| MeSH | D014711 |
| TA98 | A12.2.08.002 |
| TA2 | 4538 |
| FMA | 3956 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
The vertebral arteries are major arteries of the neck. Typically, the vertebral arteries originate from the subclavian arteries. Each vessel courses superiorly along each side of the neck, merging within the skull to form the single, midline basilar artery. As the supplying component of the vertebrobasilar vascular system, the vertebral arteries supply blood to the upper spinal cord, brainstem, cerebellum, and posterior part of brain.[1]
- ^ Standing S, Borely NR, Collins P, Crossman AR, Gatzoulis MA, Healy GC, et al. (2008). Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice (40th ed.). London: Churchill Livingstone. ISBN 978-0-8089-2371-8.