Anterior communicating artery
3049240
218474800
2008-06-10T20:30:58Z
Davewild
468669
Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/HitchinPostHank|HitchinPostHank]] ([[User talk:HitchinPostHank|talk]]) to last version by 201.37.90.39
{{Infobox Artery |
Name = Anterior communicating artery |
Latin = arteria communicans anterior |
GraySubject = 146 |
GrayPage = 572 |
Image = Circle of Willis en.svg |
Caption = The [[cerebral arterial circle]] and arteries of the brain. The '''anterior communicating arteries''' (top of figure) connect the left and right [[anterior cerebral artery|anterior cerebral arteries]]. |
BranchFrom = |
BranchTo = |
Vein = |
Supplies = |
MeshName = |
MeshNumber = |
}}
In [[human anatomy]], the '''anterior communicating artery''' is a [[blood vessel]] of the [[brain]] that connects the left and right [[anterior cerebral artery|anterior cerebral arteries]].
The anterior communicating artery connects the two anterior cerebral arteries across the commencement of the [[longitudinal fissure]]. Sometimes this vessel is wanting, the two arteries joining together to form a single trunk, which afterward divides; or it may be wholly, or partially, divided into two. Its length averages about 4 mm, but varies greatly. It gives off some of the anteromedial ganglionic vessels, but these are principally derived from the anterior cerebral artery.
It is part of the [[circle of Willis|cerebral arterial circle]], also known as the [[circle of Willis]].
==Pathology==
[[Aneurysm]]s of the anterior communicating artery are the most common circle of Willis aneurysm<ref>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.</ref> and can cause [[visual field loss|visual field defect]]s such as [[bitemporal hemianopsia]],<ref>Aoki N. Partially thrombosed aneurysm presenting as the sudden onset of bitemporal hemianopsia. Neurosurgery. 1988 Mar;22(3):564-6. PMID 3362325.</ref> [[psychopathology]] and [[frontal lobe]] pathology.<ref>Johnson MK, O'Connor M, Cantor J. Confabulation, memory deficits, and frontal dysfunction. Brain Cogn. 1997 Jul;34(2):189-206. PMID 9220085.</ref>
[[Image:Arteries_beneath_brain.png|thumb|center|500px|The arteries of the base of the brain. Anterior communicating artery at top. The [[temporal lobe|temporal]] pole of the [[cerebrum]] and a portion of the [[cerebellum|cerebellar]] hemisphere have been removed on the right side. Inferior aspect (viewed from below).]]
==References==
<references/>
==External links==
*{{LoyolaMedEd|Neuro/neurovasc/navigation/aca.htm}}
* {{SUNYAnatomyLabs|28|09|02|21}}
* {{RocheLexicon|13048.000-1}}
* {{RocheLexicon|13048.000-3}}
{{Gray's}}
{{Arteries of head and neck}}
[[Category:Arteries]]
[[Category:Head and neck]]
{{circulatory-stub}}
[[nl:Arteria communicans anterior]]
[[pt:Artéria comunicante anterior]]