Artery of Bernasconi and Cassinari

The artery of Bernasconi and Cassinari, also known as medial or marginal tentorial artery (of Bernasconi–Cassinari), commonly arises from the cavernous segment of the internal carotid artery.

Gross anatomy

The artery of Bernasconi and Cassinari is ~2 cm long and is an important branch of the meningohypophyseal trunk, originating from the cavernous segment of the internal carotid artery and runs along the tentorium.

It is usually a single trunk, supplying the meninges of the tentorium cerebelli, and often supplies the oculomotor, trochlear, and abducens nerves.

Another branch of the meningohypophyseal trunk supplying the tentorium is the lateral tentorial artery (also known as the lateral tentorial arcade) which shows a course laterally towards the sigmoid sinus and on lateral projections it points in a downward direction.

Radiographic appearance

Due to its small size, the artery of Bernasconi and Cassinari is poorly visualized on angiography in the absence of pathologically increased blood flow, like in tentorial tumors and tentorial dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF). When seen, it has a wavy appearance on angiography.

History and etymology

It was first described in 1957 by V Bernasconi and V Cassinari in the setting of tentorial meningiomas .

Related pathology

Lesions arising from the tentorium cerebelli, such as tentorial dural arteriovenous fistulas may derive arterial blood supply from the artery of Bernasconi and Cassinari.

The artery of Bernasconi and Cassinari is also the most likely artery to be enlarged on an angiogram in tentorial meningiomas.

Occasionally, it may provide essential collateral blood flow to the posterior circulation.