Vascular Disorders Health Channel

	Feature Article Illustrations for this article Click on an image below to enlarge Vertebral column Arteries of the brain Vertebrobasilar circulatory disorders Definition Vertebrobasilar circulatory disorders are disorders in which blood supply to the back of the brain is disrupted. Alternative Names Vertebrobasilar insufficiency; Posterior circulation ischemia Causes, incidence, and risk factors The vertebrobasilar system is also called the posterior (back) circulation of the brain. There are 3 main blood vessels that provide circulation to the back of the brain -- 2 vertebral arteries and 1 basilar artery. The back of the brain contains structures that are crucial for sustaining life. For instance, the brainstem controls breathing, swallowing, and the level of consciousness. Other structures of the back of the brain are the occipital lobes (the vision areas of the brain) and the cerebellum (movement coordination). Blood flow in the posterior circulation of the brain may be disrupted by many different conditions. The most common cause is a stroke caused by hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). Atherosclerosis occurs when fat accumulates in a blood vessel wall, causing local inflammation (irritation and swelling). The areas of inflammation are called plaques, and they may break off and cause blood clots inside the vessel. These clots may then travel inside the arteries and get stuck in the brain, blocking the blood supply to the area normally fed by the artery. This sudden stopping of blood supply causes rapid malfunction and even death of the affected brain cells, which are very sensitive to lack of circulation. This is what happens when a person suffers a certain type of stroke. Vertebrobasilar vascular disorders may also be caused by dissection, which is a tear of the artery wall. This involves bleeding through the artery wall and sometimes the release of a clot, which then blocks blood flow. Continue reading this article

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