Definitions for "Vertebral arteries"
Vertebral arteries distribute into the muscles of the neck, vertebrae, spinal cord, cerebellum, and interior of the cerebrum. They originate in the subclavian artery. Their branches are spinal and meningeal, posterior inferior cerebellar, basilar, and anterior and posterior spinal arteries.
These paired arteries provide blood flow to the brain along with the carotid arteries. The vertebral arteries converge beyond the base of the skull to form the basilar artery. The vertebrobasilar system supplies blood to the brainstem, cerebellum, and occipital lobes
Blood vessels that pass through openings in the neck vertebrae from C-6 to C-1, and supply one-third to one-half of the blood to the brain including the brain stem, cerebellum, and parts of the cerebrum.