What artery is formed by the joining of the vertebral arteries?

The basilary artery is formed by the convergence of the two vertebral arteries, which run along the spinal column and supply blood to the brain. This critical vessel plays a significant role in the posterior circulation of the brain, providing oxygenated blood to structures such as the brainstem, cerebellum, and parts of the occipital lobes.

Understanding the anatomical relationships and blood supply of the brain is essential for interpreting various clinical scenarios. The internal carotid arteries, common carotid arteries, and posterior cerebral arteries fulfill different roles in cerebral blood supply and are not formed from the union of vertebral arteries. The internal carotid arteries primarily supply the anterior circulation of the brain, while the common carotid arteries branch into the internal and external carotids, and the posterior cerebral arteries branch from the basilar artery itself, underscoring the importance of this particular vessel formed by the vertebral arteries.