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Anterior communicating artery

Arteries of the brain seen from the inferior view of the brain.
Anterior communicating artery (Arteria communicans anterior)

The anterior communicating artery (AComm) is a short vessel that connects the left and right anterior cerebral arteries, forming the anterior border of the cerebral arterial circle of Willis. Together with the basilar artery, it is one of the two brain vessels that are not paired.

Besides forming the anastomotic channel between the anterior cerebral arteries, the functions of the anterior communicating artery are also to contribute to the blood supply of certain parts of the brain. Via its anteromedial central branches, this artery supplies parts of the optic chiasma, lamina terminalis, preoptic and supraoptic areas of the hypothalamus, parolfactory areas of the frontal cortex, anterior columns of fornix and the cingulate gyrus.

This article will discuss the anatomy and function of the anterior communicating artery

Anterior communicating artery
Origin Anterior cerebral artery
Branches Anteromedial central arteries
Supply Optic chiasma, lamina terminalis, preoptic and supraoptic areas of hypothalamus, parolfactory areas of frontal cortex, anterior columns of fornix, cingulate gyrus
Contents
  1. Origin and course
  2. Branches and supply
  3. Anatomical variations
  4. Clinical relations
    1. Berry aneurysm
  5. Sources
+ Show all

Origin and course

The anterior communicating artery connects the one anterior cerebral artery to the other transversely across the longitudinal cerebral fissure. It is located within a small subarachnoid space called the cistern of the lamina terminalis.

This cistern lies directly below the third ventricle and besides the AComm, it is also traversed by a part of the anterior cerebral artery. The location of AComm is important because a ruptured aneurysm may cause an intraventricular hemorrhage into the third ventricle through the membrane of the lamina terminalis.

Branches and supply

The anterior communicating artery gives off 1-4 perforating branches called the anteromedial central arteries. These arteries penetrate the medial part of the anterior perforated substance and supply the optic chiasma, lamina terminalis, preoptic and supraoptic areas of the hypothalamus, parolfactory areas of the frontal cortex, anterior columns of the fornix and cingulate gyrus.

Anatomical variations

One of the most frequent variations of the anterior communicating artery is the duplication of this vessel. The extra artery is called the superior anterior communicating artery and it is often associated with aneurysms.

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