Pinched nerve

What does 'prominent left vertebral artery' mean?

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hello.

Vertebral arteries are a major source of blood supply to the brainstem and the posterior part of the brain. These arteries are called "vertebral" as they run through the vertebral column. Either due to birth defect or some other etiology, if the vertebral artery becomes enlarged in width, it is called prominent vertebral artery. It compresses nerve roots since it is in close proximity to the nerve roots.

Regards