Posterior cerebral arteries unite with anterior cerebral arteries via posterior communicating arteries
Provide posterior circular of brain
Cerebral arteries
Each supplies a region of the brain
Anterior cerebral artery
Medial and upper lateral surfaces of cerebral hemisphere
Frontal pole
Middle cerebral artery
Lower and lateral cerebral hemisphere
Temporal pole
Posterior cerebral artery
Inferior surface of cerebral hemisphere
Occipital pole
Cerebral arterial circle (circle of Willis)
Lies in subarachnoid space
Important anastomosis at base of brain
Formed by
Anterior communicating arteries
Anterior cerebral arteries
Internal carotid arteries
Posterior communicating arteries
Posterior cerebral arteries
Components supply brain via many small branches
Artery Course and Structures Supplied
Vertebral From subclavian artery, supplies cerebellum
Posterior inferior cerebellar From vertebral artery, goes to posteroinferior cerebellum
Basilar From both vertebrals, goes to brainstem, cerebellum, cerebrum
Anterior inferior cerebellar From basilar, supplies inferior cerebellum
Superior cerebellar From basilar, supplies superior cerebellum
Posterior cerebral From basilar, supplies inferior cerebrum, occipital lobe
Posterior communicating Cerebral arterial circle (of Willis)
Internal carotid (IC) From common carotid, supplies cerebral lobes and eye
Middle cerebral From IC, goes to lateral aspect of cerebral hemispheres
Anterior communicating Cerebral arterial circle (of Willis)
Anterior cerebral From IC, goes to cerebral hemispheres (except occipital lobe)