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]]