Anatomy of the Intracranial Arteries: The Anterior Intracranial and Vertebrobasilar Circulations

Abstract

The intracranial vasculature, separated into the anterior and posterior circulations, constitute an elegant and complex cerebrovascular bed providing redundant supply to the brain. Here the authors present an anatomic framework for understanding the segmental and branch anatomy, clinically important anastomotic pathways, and pathology of the intracranial arterial system with a focus on angiographic definition.

Keywords: Anterior cerebral artery; Artery; Cerebral; Intracranial; Middle cerebral artery; Posterior cerebral artery; Vertebral artery.