Cerebral artery supplying posterior brain; arises from basilar artery
Expansion
Posterior Cerebral Artery
Purpose
Assess for occlusion (visual field defects, memory loss), stenosis
Clinical Context
Posterior cerebral artery supplies occipital and temporal lobes, thalamus. Posterior cerebral artery occlusion causes contralateral visual field defect plus cognitive or memory changes.
Related Terms
- Basilar artery
- Vertebral artery
Key Points
- Posterior cerebral artery occlusion causes contralateral visual field defect (homonymous hemianopia), memory defects