The so-called anterior meningeal artery of the cervical vertebral artery. Normal radioanatomy and anastomoses.

Following a review of the literature, the authors show that the posterior branch of the odontoid arch and the anterior meningeal artery are, in reality, the same vessel. Focusing attention on the metameric nature of the upper cervical spine and its blood supply makes a simplified approach to the pharyngovertebral anastomoses possible.