Which artery provides the direct blood supply to the occipital lobe?

The posterior cerebral artery is the vessel that directly supplies blood to the occipital lobe of the brain. This artery branches off from the basilar artery and is primarily responsible for providing oxygenated blood to the areas of the brain involved in visual processing, which are primarily located in the occipital lobe.

Proper blood supply to the occipital lobe is essential for visual perception and various visual processing activities. The posterior cerebral artery also supplies parts of the temporal lobe and is critical in maintaining the overall function of these areas.

Understanding the vascular supply is vital in clinical settings, as occlusions or abnormalities in the posterior cerebral artery can lead to specific deficits, such as visual field cuts or other visual disturbances.