Vertebral Artery Segments (V1–V4) and Imaging-Relevant Anatomy

Learn the four segments (V1–V4) of the vertebral artery: origin, course through cervical transverse foramina, around the atlas, and intracranial formation of the basilar artery—key for head and neck image interpretation.

• The vertebral artery is segmented into V1 (pre-foraminal), V2 (foraminal, within C6–C2 transverse foramina), V3 (extraspinal, around atlas), and V4 (intradural, forming the basilar artery).
• Its anatomical relationships with the cervical vertebrae, transverse foramina, and the atlas are essential for recognizing dissection and other pathology on CT/MR angiography.

Automated summary

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