The Artery of Davidoff and Schechter: An Anatomical Study

Introduction: Few reports have mentioned the artery of Davidoff and Schechter. Therefore, this tentorial branch of the posterior cerebral artery was studied.

Materials and Methods: Twenty adult latex-injected cadaveric heads (40 sides) underwent microdissection with specific attention given to the presence of the artery of Davidoff and Schechter. When identified, measurements were made and observations given to the source and course of this vessel.

Results: An artery of Davidoff and Schechter was identified on 10 sides (25%). This artery was found to always be a branch of the P2 segment of the posterior cerebral artery and typically traveled posterolateral under the superior cerebellar artery and superior to the trochlear nerve to enter the deep surface of the tentorium cerebelli roughly near the midpoint of the ipsilateral one half of the incisura. From this point, the vessel traveled posterior to approximately the midline, where it took an upward course to supply the falcotentorial junction. The average diameter of the vessel was 0.8 mm with a mean length of 1.2 cm. The artery was found to be more common in male specimens and was more common on left sides (P < 0.05). Bilateral occurrence was seen in only one male specimen.

Conclusions: Knowledge of the artery of Davidoff and Schechter may be important during approaches to the ambient cistern or in interpretation of imaging such as in tentorial arteriovenous malformations.