Basilar artery

The basilar artery is one of the arteries which the brain supplies with oxygen-rich blood. It rises from the combination of the two vertebral arteries at the level of the medulla oblongata. It ascends in the central gutter (sulcus basilaris) inferior to the pons and divides into the two posterior cerebral arteries. In its process it delivers branches for the supply of the cerebellum (largely via the anterior inferior cerebellar artery), as well as smaller branches for the supply of the pons.

Thrombosis of the basilar artery can be a life-threatening situation and can also lead to poor outcomes including paralysis of all extremities, heavy disturbances in sensation, difficulty in swallowing and difficulty in respiration.