Precommunicating part of anterior cerebral artery - Brain - Arteries - e-Anatomy
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Precommunicating part of anterior cerebral artery

Pars precommunicans arteriae anterioris cerebri

  • Related terms: Precommunicating part; Precommunicating part; A1 segment; Anterior cerebral artery: Precommunicating part; A1 segment

Definition

Muhammad A. Javaid

The precommunicating part of anterior cerebral artery (A1) refers to the proximal part of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) extending from its origin at the internal carotid artery (ICA) to the anterior communicating artery (AComA).

Course and relations

  • It passes anteromedially towards the longitudinal cerebral fissure. Here, it courses above the optic nerve and optic chiasmatic region.

  • The right and left A1 segments are connected by the anterior communicating artery, forming the anterior part of the Circle of Willis.

Branches and distribution

The precommunicating part of anterior cerebral artery (A1 segment) gives rise to anteromedial central (perforating) arteries, which supply parts of the:

  • Hypothalamus and basal forebrain

  • Caudate nucleus

  • Anterior limb of the internal capsule

  • Putamen and globus pallidus

The recurrent artery of Heubner may also arise from A1 is one of the prominent anteromedial central arteries, although it more commonly originates near the A1–A2 junction .

Is this definition incorrect or incomplete?

References

  • Standring, S. (ed.) (2015) ‘Chapter 19: Vascular supply and drainage of the brain’, in Gray’s anatomy: the anatomical basis of clinical practice. 41st edn. London: Churchill Livingstone, pp. 280–290.

  • Tahir RA, Haider S, Kole M, Griffith B, Marin H. Anterior Cerebral Artery: Variant Anatomy and Pathology. J Vasc Interv Neurol. 2019 May;10(3):16-22.

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