Basilar artery segments

3 segments (named for surrounding cistern) and their branches:

a) peduncular segment (P1)

● mesencephalic perforating aa. (⇒ tectum, cerebral peduncles, and these nuclei: Edinger- Westphal, oculomotor and trochlear)

● interpeduncular thalamoperforators (1st of 2 groups of posterior thalamoperforating aa.)

● medial post. choroidal (most from P1 or P2)

● “artery of Percheron

b) ambient segment(P2)

● lateral post. choroidal (most from P2)

● thalamogeniculate thalamoperforators (2nd of 2 groups of posterior thalamoperforating aa.) ⇒ geniculate bodies + pulvinar

● anterior temporal (anastamoses with anterior temporal br. of MCA)

● posterior temporal

● parieto-occipital

● calcarine

c) quadrigeminal segment (P3)

● quadrigeminal & geniculate branches ⇒ quadrigeminal plate

● post. pericallosal (splenial) (anastomoses with pericallosal of ACA)