True about vertebral artery -a) Enter skull through condylar canal.b) Branch of internal carotid arteryc) Branch of subclavian arteryd) Accompany sympathetic ganglione) Passes through foramen transversarium of cervical vertebrae
**Core Concept**
The vertebral artery is a crucial artery that supplies blood to the brain and is closely associated with the cervical spine. It is a branch of the subclavian artery and plays a vital role in the blood supply to the posterior circulation of the brain.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The vertebral artery arises from the subclavian artery and passes through the foramen transversarium of the cervical vertebrae, from C6 to C1. This unique passage allows the artery to ascend through the neck and enter the skull through the foramen magnum, where it contributes to the formation of the posterior inferior cerebellar arteries and the basilar artery. This intricate relationship between the vertebral artery and the cervical spine is essential for understanding various neurological and vascular disorders.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** The vertebral artery does not enter the skull through the condylar canal. Instead, it enters through the foramen magnum, which is located at the base of the skull.
**Option B:** The vertebral artery is not a branch of the internal carotid artery. It arises from the subclavian artery, which is a separate arterial trunk.
**Option D:** While the vertebral artery does accompany the sympathetic ganglia, this is not a defining characteristic of the artery. The sympathetic ganglia are closely associated with the vertebral artery, but this is not the primary feature being tested.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
The vertebral artery's passage through the foramen transversarium of the cervical vertebrae is a critical anatomical landmark that can be relevant in various clinical scenarios, such as vertebral artery dissections or traumatic injuries to the neck.
**✓ Correct Answer: C. cde. The vertebral artery is a branch of the subclavian artery, accompanies the sympathetic ganglia, and passes through the foramen transversarium of the cervical vertebrae.**