vertebral arteries

The vertebral arteries are major blood vessels that run through your neck and supply blood to the back of your brain, including the brainstem and cerebellum. They originate from the subclavian arteries in the shoulders and travel upward through small openings in the cervical vertebrae. These arteries then join at the base of the brain to form the basilar artery, creating a crucial part of the brain’s blood supply system, known as the vertebrobasilar system. Healthy vertebral arteries ensure that vital areas of the brain receive oxygen and nutrients necessary for proper function.