Welcome to International Journal of Anatomy and Research

Type of Article: Original Research

Year: 2016 | Volume 4 | Issue 2 | Page No. 2440-2443

Date of Publication: 30-06-2016

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.16965/ijar.2016.231

VARIATION IN THE ORIGIN OF POSTERIOR CEREBRAL ARTERY IN THE ADULT POPULATION

A. Prasanna Veera Kumar ^*1 K. S. N. Prasad ².

^*1 Associate Professor of Anatomy , Fathima Institute of Medical Sciences , Kadapa 516003 Andhra Pradesh, India.

² Professor and Head, Department of Anatomy, Government Siddhartha Medical College, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Address: Dr. A. Prasanna Veera Kumar M.D, Flat 105, Kalyan Anshtha Towers, Alkapoor, Puppalguda, Manikonda 500089, Telangana, India.
E-Mail: kumarattada@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Background and aims: The configuration of the posterior bifurcation of the posterior communicating artery is of clinical importance as in fetal type of configuration an embolus arising in the internal carotid artery can cause posterior cerebral ischemia. Three types of configurations are described and they are the adult, fetal and transitional types. The study intends to examine the contribution of vertebro-basilar and the carotid systems in the origin of the posterior cerebral artery. The aim of the study is to find variations found in the posterior part of circle of Willis, in particular the configuration of the posterior bifurcation of the posterior communicating artery.
Materials and Methods: 50 embalmed cadaver brains from Fathima Medical College, Government Sidddhartha Medical College and other medical colleges from Andhra Pradesh, India were studied. The external diameter of the posterior communicating artery and the proximal part of posterior cerebral artery were measured using caliper.
Results:  The adult configuration is present in 80%, fetal in 13.3% and transitional in 6.7% of brains.
Conclusion: The study reveals that vertebrobasilar system contributes 80% in the origin of posterior cerebral artery whereas the internal carotid artery contribution in the origin of posterior cerebral is 20% i.e. in the fetal and transitional configurations put together.
KEY WORDS: Configuration Of The Posterior Bifurcation, Posterior Communicating Artery, Posterior Cerebral Artery, Vertebra- Basilar And Carotid Systems.

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A. Prasanna Veera Kumar, K. S. N. Prasad. VARIATION IN THE ORIGIN OF POSTERIOR CEREBRAL ARTERY IN THE ADULT POPULATION. Int J Anat Res 2016;4(2):2440-2443. DOI: 10.16965/ijar.2016.231