2020 Online Salon
Intracranial Anastomoses of the Ascending Pharyngeal Artery
Project Details
- Entrant Name: Laura Ekl
- Membership Type: Student Submission
- Address: Baltimore, Maryland USA
- Client: Philippe Gailloud, M.D.; Lydia Gregg, M.A., C.M.I., F.A.M.I.
- Copyright: 2020 Laura Ekl
- Medium/software used: Adobe Photoshop 2020, Horos 3.3.5, Procreate
- Final presentation format: Illustration for print or online article
- Primary Audience: Health care professionals and trainees, researchers
Project Description
Multiple anatomical papers have described the presence of anastomotic connections between the intracranial branches of the ascending pharyngeal artery (APA) and the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA). These rare anastomotic vessels are clinically significant as embolic material can travel from the APA into the PICA and cause a medullary stroke, leading to Locked-in Syndrome. However, no illustrations currently exist describing this anastomotic connection, and photo and imaging resources lack clarity. This novel illustration of the posterior fossa depicts the branches of the APA and vertebrobasilar system with the described anastomotic vessel and the relevant associated nervous structures. This illustration serves to raise awareness in health care professionals and their trainees about the potential for these little-known anastomotic connections.
