Ventrolateral view, left side

The vertebral artery is usually the second branch of the subclavian artery on both sides.  It usually passes toward the head while the costocervical artery passes more medially.  The vertebral arteries run through the transverse foramina of the cervical vertebrae.  They enter the cranium by passing through the foramen magnum.  Functionally they are important because they are one of two pair of major vessels that carry blood to the brain on each side.  The vertebral artery is the "V" of the mnemonic VCT.

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