Microanatomy study of the anterior communicating artery complex

Objective To study the microanatomy of anterior communicating artery complex (ACoAC) and important adjoining constitution for supplying anatomical data of operating approach. Method The anatomy of ACoAC and its perforating branches were studied in 15 adult cadaver brains after the heads were disscected in the microscape.The diameter and length of the parts of ACoAC were measured, and photographes were taken with a digital camera after the entire brains were taken out.The outcomes were analyzed with spss10.0 software. Results Anterior cerebral artery (ACA) was found in each cerebral hemisphere.The difference of hibateral ACA-A1 segment diameter and length was not significant.A lot of perforating branches arose from the inferoposterior wall of ACA, and the shape of ACoA varied.Its perforating branches supplied hypothalamus, OC and genu of corpus callosum, et al.The recurrent artery of Heubner(RAH) was the thickest perforating branches of ACoAC, its original location and course varied much。Many perforating branches arose from ACoAC(especial ACA-A1 segment) went to superior OC and ON, named superior artery of OC.Conclusions ①The growth of hibateral ACA-A1 segment was dissymmetry commonly.The hypoplasia of ACA-A1 segment may be highly correlative with the ACoA aneurysm.ACA-A1 segment sent out a lot of important perforating branches.The shape of ACoA varied much, which may be poorly correlative with the hypoplasia of ACA-A1 segment.②The origin and shape of RAH varied much.③The blood supply of OC and ON came from two origins, superior group arteries and inferior group arteries.