Anatomical Variations of Anterior Communicating Artery

The Circle of Willis is a network of vascular channels formed anteriorly by the anterior cerebral artery, from either side.The anterior communicating artery connects these two anterior cerebral arteries.Posteriorly, the basilar artery divides into right and left posterior cerebral arteries and each joins to ipsilateral internal carotid artery through a posterior communicating artery [1].Present study was conducted to find out variations in the anterior communicating artery, that stabilize cerebral blood flow when principle conduits fail.The anterior communicating artery displays many variations.The competence of recovery or lack of recovery after vascular occlusion partly depends upon the anatomical state of component vessel of Circle of Willis -normal or anomalous [2].Thus, knowledge on such variations is of clinical significance. MAtErIAL And MEtHOdsWith prior permission of the ethical committee, one hundred apparently normal brain specimens were collected from formalin fixed human cadavers.The intact brains removed from the cranial ABstrAct Introduction:The Circle of Willis is a vascular network formed at the base of skull in the interpeduncular fossa.Its anterior part is formed by the anterior cerebral artery, from either side.Anterior communicating artery connects the right and left anterior cerebral arteries.Posteriorly, the basilar artery divides into right and left posterior cerebral arteries and each joins to ipsilateral internal carotid artery through a posterior communicating artery.Anterior communicating artery, an important component of circle of Willis, acts as collateral channel to stabilize blood flow.In the present study, anatomical variations in the anterior communicating artery were noted. Material and Methods:One hundred apparently normal formalin fixed brain specimens were collected from human cadavers.Normal anatomical pattern and variations of anterior communicating artery were studied.The anterior communicating arteries were then coloured, photographed, numbered and the abnormalities, if any, were noted.