Posterior communicating artery

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Artery: Posterior communicating artery
Schematic representation of the arterial circle and arteries of the brain. The posterior communicating arteries (middle of figure) connect the internal carotid arteries' trifurcations and the posterior cerebral arteries.
The brain and the arteries of the base of the brain. The temporal pole of the cerebrum and a portion of the cerebellar hemisphere have been removed on the right side. Inferior aspect (viewed from below).
Gray's subject #146 573

In human anatomy, the posterior communicating artery is a one of a pair of right-sided and left-sided blood vessels in the circle of Willis. It connects the three cerebral arteries of the same side. Anteriorly, it is one portion of the terminal trifurcation of the internal carotid artery. The anterior cerebral artery and the middle cerebral artery are the other two branches of the trifurcation. Posteriorly, it communicates with the posterior cerebral artery.

[edit] Pathology

Aneurysms of the posterior communicating artery are the second most common circle of Willis aneurysm[1] (the most common are anterior communicating artery aneurysms) and can lead to oculomotor nerve palsy.[2]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Beck J, Rohde S, Berkefeld J, Seifert V, Raabe A. Size and location of ruptured and unruptured intracranial aneurysms measured by 3-dimensional rotational angiography. Surg Neurol. 2006 Jan;65(1):18-25; discussion 25-7. PMID 16378842.
  2. ^ Dimopoulos VG, Fountas KN, Feltes CH, Robinson JS, Grigorian AA. Literature review regarding the methodology of assessing third nerve paresis associated with non-ruptured posterior communicating artery aneurysms. Neurosurg Rev. 2005 Oct;28(4):256-60. PMID 15947958.

[edit] External links



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