Quick Facts
The basilar artery is an unpaired artery, formed by the union of the right and left vertebral arteries. This union occurs at the midline, at the level of the external acoustic meatus. From its origin, the basilar artery travels anterosuperiorly, along the anterior surface of the pons. It ends by dividing into two terminal branches, the right and left posterior cerebral arteries.
Along its course, the basilar artery gives off the anterior inferior cerebellar, pontine, mesencephalic, and superior cerebellar arteries.
Overall, the basilar artery and its branches provide an arterial supply to the cerebellum, brainstem, and the posterior part of both cerebral hemispheres.
