Vertebral Artery

Description

Cut calvaria in a lateral cranial section exposes the endocranial surface, foramen magnum, and the posterior cranial fossa where the vertebral artery enters the skull after ascending through the transverse foramina of the cervical vertebrae. The vessel is positioned posterolateral to the medulla at the craniovertebral junction, then courses anteromedially along the clivus to contribute to the basilar artery, with branches consistent with the posterior inferior cerebellar artery arising near the level of the inferior cerebellar hemisphere. Nearby landmarks include the occipital bone, petrous temporal bone, sphenoid body, and the mandibular and maxillary dentition seen externally. Arterial relationships at the craniovertebral junction matter because this is where vertebral artery dissection, atherosclerotic stenosis, and dynamic compression can precipitate posterior circulation ischemia. Neck rotation can narrow the V3 segment as it loops around the atlas before piercing the dura, and surgical exposure during far lateral or retrosigmoid approaches demands a clear mental map of the vessel relative to the condyle, jugular foramen region, and lower cranial nerves. Short segment anatomy, high stakes. Use this image when you need a teaching-ready reference for head and neck anatomy, neuroanatomy, or neurosurgery modules covering the posterior cranial fossa, vertebrobasilar system, and intracranial arterial pathways, or for figure support in stroke, dissection, and skull base publications. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.