Basilar artery: anatomy, location and function

What it is

The basilar artery is a midline artery of the brainstem formed by the two vertebral arteries.

Location

It forms at the lower border of the pons, ascends in the basilar groove of the pons and divides into the two posterior cerebral arteries at the upper border of the pons. Its branches include the anterior inferior cerebellar, labyrinthine, pontine and superior cerebellar arteries.

Function

It supplies the brainstem, cerebellum and, via the posterior cerebral arteries, the occipital lobes and parts of the temporal lobes.

Body system

Cardiovascular · single, midline structure

FMA ID

FMA50542 (Foundational Model of Anatomy)

Key facts

• It is part of the posterior circulation and of the circle of Willis.
• The oculomotor nerves pass between its terminal posterior cerebral and superior cerebellar branches.

Clinical relevance

Basilar occlusion can cause locked-in syndrome, coma or death.

The nearest named structures in the 3D model, measured from the centre of each part:

• External ear · eye & ear
• Pons · nervous
• Superior cerebellar artery · cardiovascular
• Precommunicating part of posterior cerebral artery · cardiovascular
• Anterior inferior cerebellar artery · cardiovascular
• Pituitary gland · endocrine
• Peduncle of midbrain · nervous
• Posterior communicating artery · cardiovascular
• Midbrain · nervous
• Postcommunicating part of posterior cerebral artery · cardiovascular