cerebrovascular system
Quick Summary
The cerebrovascular system refers to the blood vessels that supply the cerebrum, the largest part of the brain. This system includes arteries that carry oxygenated blood from the heart to the brain and veins that return deoxygenated blood to the heart.12
Key components include:
* Arteries: The internal carotid arteries and vertebral arteries branch to supply the brain.3
* Venous Sinuses: Channels within the dura mater that collect deoxygenated blood from the brain and drain into the internal jugular vein.4
* Circle of Willis: A crucial arterial network at the base of the brain that provides collateral circulation.5
Despite a generous arterial network, the brain's high demand for blood makes its supply precarious. A system of autoregulation helps manage blood flow, but disruptions can lead to strokes, characterized by a severe, permanent loss of brain function due to interrupted blood supply.36
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