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Right vertebral artery

The right vertebral artery (RVA) is a major branch of the right subclavian artery, supplying blood to the posterior cerebral circulation. It ascends through the transverse foramina of the cervical vertebrae (C6 to C1), curves posteriorly around the atlanto-occipital joint, and enters the cranial cavity via the foramen magnum. The right and left vertebral arteries join to form the basilar artery, which contributes to the vertebrobasilar system, supplying the brainstem, cerebellum, and posterior cerebral hemispheres.

The artery has four segments:

  1. V1 (pre-foraminal) – from subclavian origin to entry at C6 transverse foramen

  2. V2 (foraminal) – within cervical transverse foramina (C6–C2)

  3. V3 (atlantic/extradural) – curves around C1 and atlanto-occipital joint

  4. V4 (intracranial) – from foramen magnum entry to formation of basilar artery

Function

  • Supplies posterior brain structures, including brainstem, cerebellum, and occipital lobes

  • Forms part of the vertebrobasilar arterial system, ensuring collateral cerebral circulation

  • Supports spinal cord perfusion in the cervical region via radicular branches

  • Contributes to circle of Willis for cerebral blood flow redundancy

Synonyms

  • RVA

  • Right VA

  • Vertebral artery (right side)

  • Arteria vertebralis dextra

MRI Appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Flowing blood in the RVA appears signal void (hypointense) due to fast arterial flow

  • Vessel walls are thin and low signal intensity

  • Pathological changes like dissection may appear as eccentric high signal within the wall

T2-weighted images:

  • RVA lumen is typically low signal

  • Slow flow or thrombus may show high signal intraluminal areas

  • Surrounding soft tissue and bony landmarks provide anatomical context

MRA / Post-contrast MRI:

  • On T1 post-contrast or MRA sequences, the RVA lumen is enhanced and bright, clearly outlining vessel course

  • Dissections, stenoses, or aneurysms are highlighted by irregular enhancement or luminal narrowing

CT Appearance

CT angiography (CTA):

  • RVA appears as a hyperdense tubular structure following the course through transverse foramina

  • The bony transverse foramina of cervical vertebrae are visible, showing the artery’s protective bony corridor

  • Pathologies such as stenosis, occlusion, dissection, or aneurysm are clearly identified

  • CTA is excellent for pre-surgical planning, trauma evaluation, and cerebrovascular assessment

MRI images

Right vertebral artery mri coronal image -img-00000-00000

MRI images

Right vertebral artery mri axial image

MRI image

MRI Right vertebral artery axial anatomy image -img-00000-00000

MRI image

MRI Right vertebral artery coronal anatomy image -img-00000-00000