The vertebrobasilar arteries are the blood vessels in the back of the neck, next to the spinal cord, that supply the brainstem -- the portion of the brain that, among other things, is responsible for maintaining consciousness. A blockage of blood flow in the vertebrobasilar arteries can cause syncope.
1. NREM-a recurring sleep state during which rapid eye movements do not occur and dreaming does not occur; accounts for about 75% of normal sleep time. nonrapid eye movement, nonrapid eye movement sleep, NREM sleep, orthodox sleep. sleep, slumber-a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended; he didn't get enough sleep last night; calm as a child in dreamless slumber. 1  Facebook.
Following the N3 stage of sleep, a series of body movements usually signals an ascent to lighter NREM sleep stages. Typically, a 5- to 10-minute period of N2 precedes the initial REM sleep episode. REM sleep comprises about 20 to 25 percent of total sleep in typical healthy adults. NREM sleep and REM sleep continue to alternate through the night in a cyclical fashion. Most slow-wave NREM sleep occurs in the first part of the night; REM sleep episodes, the first of which may last only one to five minutes, generally become longer through the night.