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IJAR.2017.179

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Type of Article:  Original Research

Volume 5; Issue 2.3 (June 2017)

Page No.: 3882-3890

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.16965/ijar.2017.179

ANATOMICAL VARIATIONS OF ANTERIOR CEREBRAL ARTERY AND ANTERIOR COMMUNICATING ARTERY: A CADAVERIC STUDY

Ajay Babu Kannabathula *1, Gunjan Rai 2   Himadri Sunam 1.

*1 Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, Gouri Devi Institute of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Durgapur, West Bengal, India.

2 Assistant Professor, Dept of Anatomy, Heritage Institute of Medical Sciences, Varanasi, U.P, India.

Address for Correspondence: Dr. Ajay Babu Kannabathula, Assistant Professor Gouri Devi Institute of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Durgapur, West Bengal, India. E-Mail: ajaykbabu57@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The Circle of Willis is a vascular network formed at the base of skull in the interpeduncular fossa. Its anterior part is formed by the anterior cerebral artery, from either side. Anterior communicating artery connects the right and left anterior cerebral arteries. Posteriorly, the basilar artery divides into right and left posterior cerebral arteries and each joins to ipsilateral internal carotid artery through a posterior communicating artery. Anterior communicating artery and posterior communicating arteries are important component of circle of Willis, acts as collateral channel to stabilize blood flow. In the present study, anatomical variations in the circle of Willis were noted.

Materials and Methods: 75 apparently normal formalin fixed brain specimens were collected from human cadavers. 55 Normal anatomical pattern and 20 variations of circle of Willis were studied. The Circles of Willis arteries were then coloured, photographed, numbered and the abnormalities, if any, were noted.

Result: Twenty variations were noted. The most common variation observed is in the anterior communicating artery followed by some other variations like the Posterior communicating arteries, Anterior Cerebral Artery and posterior cerebral artery was found in 20 specimens.

Conclusion: Knowledge on of variations in the formation of Circle of Willis, all surgical interventions should be preceded by angiography.  Awareness of these anatomical variations is important in the neurovascular procedures.

Key Words: Circle of Willis (CW), Variations of Circle of Willis, Hypoplastic and Aplastic Anterior Cerebral Arteries (ACA), Duplication of Anterior Communicating artery (ACoA) Fused ACoA, and triplication of Anterior Communicating Artery.

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Cite this article: Ajay Babu Kannabathula, Gunjan Rai, Himadri Sunam. ANATOMICAL VARIATIONS OF ANTERIOR CEREBRAL ARTERY AND ANTERIOR COMMUNICATING ARTERY: A CADAVERIC STUDY. Int J Anat Res 2017;5(2.3):3882-3890. DOI: 10.16965/ijar.2017.179