The vertebral artery arises from the subclavian artery (Read more!) medial to the anterior scalene muscle. This artery ascends through the posterior part of the neck, located posterior to the common carotid artery and anterior to the spine.

Then it goes through the openings found in the transverse processes of the cervical vertebrae called the transverse foramina. The vertebral artery usually goes via the transverse foramina from the sixth to the first cervical vertebrae (C1 - C6).

While going through the transverse foramina, the vertebral artery gives several spinal branches that reach the spinal cord via the intervertebral foramina. The spinal branches participate in providing the arterial blood supply to the spinal cord. Besides spinal branches, the vertebral artery also gives muscular branches that further go to the deep muscles of the neck and give smaller branches to supply them.

Right after the vertebral artery leaves the atlas (C1) via its transverse foramen, it lies down in the groove for the vertebral artery found behind the superior articular process of the first cervical vertebra (C1). Then the artery pierces through the posterior atlantooccipital membrane and via the foramen magnum reaches the posterior cranial fossa, where it further lies down on the clivus of the occipital bone.

In the cranial cavity, the left and right vertebral arteries join to form the basilar artery, which supplies the brain. In the cranial cavity, the vertebral artery gives the following branches:

Anterior spinal artery - it arises from two smaller arteries, each given by one vertebral artery; these branches descend and merge on the clivus, forming the anterior spinal artery that goes into the vertebral canal via the foramen magnum; the anterior spinal artery supplies the anterior aspect of the spinal cord and lies in its anterior median fissure;
Posterior spinal artery - these arteries also descend and via the foramen magnum reach the spinal cord; the posterior spinal arteries supply the posterior aspect of the spinal cord and lie in its posterolateral sulci;
Posterior inferior cerebellar artery - artery that is found in the posterior aspect of the inferior surface of the cerebellum and supplies it;
Meningeal arteries - supplies the bones of the skull and dura mater of the posterior cranial fossa;
Medullary arteries - supply the medulla oblongata.

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Vertebral artery