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The circle of Willis (also called Willis' circle, loop of Willis, cerebral arterial circle, and Willis polygon) is a circulatory anastomosis that supplies blood to the brain and surrounding structures in reptiles, birds and mammals, including humans. [1] It is named after Thomas Willis (1621–1675), an English physician. [2]
In human anatomy, the left and right posterior communicating arteries are small [1]: 471 arteries at the base of the brain that form part of the circle of Willis. Anteriorly, it unites with the internal carotid artery (ICA) (prior to the terminal bifurcation of the ICA into the anterior cerebral artery and middle cerebral artery ); posteriorly ...
The basilar artery is the main blood supply to the brainstem and connects to the Circle of Willis to potentially supply the rest of the brain if there is compromise to one of the carotids. At each cervical level, the vertebral artery sends branches to the surrounding musculature via the anterior spinal arteries.
The anterior and posterior circulations meet at the circle of Willis, pictured here, which rests at the top of the brainstem. Inferior view. The posterior cerebral circulation is the blood supply to the posterior portion of the brain, including the occipital lobes, cerebellum and brainstem. It is supplied by the following arteries:
In case of narrowing of other arteries of the circle of Willis or the arteries supplying the circle, the anterior communicating artery can provide a way to supply blood to the opposite (affected) side of the circle. This can often preserve the cerebral blood supply well enough to avoid the symptoms of ischemia. [7]
The two anterior cerebral arteries arise from the internal carotid artery and are part of the circle of Willis. The left and right anterior cerebral arteries are connected by the anterior communicating artery. Anterior cerebral artery syndrome refers to symptoms that follow a stroke occurring in the area normally supplied by one of the arteries.
Willis was a pioneer in research into the anatomy of the brain, nervous system and muscles. His most notable discovery was the "Circle of Willis", a circle of arteries on the base of the brain. Willis's anatomy of the brain and nerves, as described in his Cerebri anatome of 1664, is minute and elaborate.
The following are central branches of the PCA, also known as perforating branches: Thalamoperforating and thalamogeniculate or postero-medial ganglionic branches: a group of small arteries which arise at the commencement of the posterior cerebral artery: these, with similar branches from the posterior communicating, pierce the posterior perforated substance, and supply the medial surfaces of ...