Morphology and biomechanical properties of cerebellar arteries in adults

Abstract

The goal was to analyze the variability of a number of morphometric and biomechanical parameters of cerebellar arteries in adults aged 20-74 years. Material and Methods ― 179 samples of cerebellar arteries, obtained by autopsy of adults without acute cerebrovascular pathology have been studied; 24 preparations of arterial complexes «arterial circle – cerebral arteries» from scientific collection of Human Anatomy Department of Saratov State Medical University (Saratov, Russia) have been also investigated. Research methods were: preparation, microscopy, experiments on uniaxial longitudinal stretching at a tensile testing machine Tira Test 28005 (TIRA GmbH, Germany). We studied outer diameter, angle of divergence, overall strength and maximal relative deformation of superior (SCA), anterior inferior (AICA) and posterior inferior cerebellar arteries (PICA). Results and Conclusion ― It was revealed that SCA was characterized by the largest diameter and angle of divergence, the most strength and extensibility. AICA and PICA had no significant differences of the studied parameters. It was noted that AICA originated in the lower third part of basilar artery 1.5 times more likely than in the middle third part of this artery.

Keywords

• superior cerebellar artery
• posterior inferior cerebellar artery
• anterior inferior cerebellar artery
• angle of divergence