CVS Practice Test

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Prepare for the CVS Test with tailored quizzes, featuring flashcards and multiple-choice questions with explanations. Set yourself up for success!

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From which arteries does the anterior spinal artery arise?

Vertebral arteries
Subclavian arteries
Carotid arteries
Aorta

The correct answer is: Vertebral arteries

The anterior spinal artery arises from the vertebral arteries. These arteries branch off from the subclavian arteries and travel upward into the cranial cavity, where they merge to form the anterior spinal artery along the anterior aspect of the spinal cord. This artery is critical as it supplies blood to the anterior two-thirds of the spinal cord, which is essential for motor and sensory functions. Understanding the origin of the anterior spinal artery is crucial in anatomy and neurovascular studies because disorders or injuries that affect this artery can lead to significant neurological deficits. This is why identifying its source is an important point of knowledge for anyone studying the cardiovascular or nervous systems. The other choices, while they include major arteries, do not play a role in supplying blood to the anterior spinal artery.