Basilar artery

Arteria basilaris

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What it is

Formed by the union of the two vertebral arteries at the lower border of the pons; it runs up the groove on the front of the pons and divides at its upper border into the two posterior cerebral arteries.

Function

Supplies the pons, cerebellum (via superior and anterior inferior cerebellar arteries), inner ear and, through its terminal branches, the occipital lobes.

Size

~3 cm long, ~3–4 mm diameter.

Clinical note

Basilar artery occlusion can cause "locked-in syndrome" — full consciousness with paralysis of all muscles except those moving the eyes.