Intracranial Arteries Overview

Anterior communicating artery

Supraclinoid internal carotid

artery

Anterior inferior cerebellar

artery

Right PICA & inferior

hemispheric branches

Left middle cerebral artery

Posterior cerebral artery

Superior cerebellar artery

Left AICA-PICA trunk (cut off)

Parieto-occipital artery

Superior cerebellar artery

Posterior cerebral artery

Right middle cerebral artery

Superior vermian arteries

(branches of superior

cerebellar artery)

Left anterior inferior

cerebellar artery

Calcarine artery

Posterior communicating

arteries

Basilar artery

Anterior communicating artery

Anterior cerebral arteries

(Top) Graphic depicts the brain vascular system and its relationship to the base of the brain. The anterior cerebral arteries course

cephalad in the interhemispheric fissure from their junction at the anterior communicating artery. They supply most of the medial brain

surface except for the posterior 3rd, which is supplied by the middle cerebral artery (MCA). The MCA supplies most of the lateral surface

of the hemispheres. The posterior cerebral artery (PCA) supplies most of the undersurface of the temporal lobe except for its most

anterior tip. The right anterior and posterior inferior cerebellar arteries (AICA and PICA) are shown on the right. On the left, a common

AICA-PICA trunk is present, a frequent normal variant. (Bottom) Submentovertex view of a 3T MRA depicts normal intracranial

circulation. Compare with graphic above.

GRAPHIC & MRA

Brain: Pathology-Based Diagnoses: Malformations,

Trauma, and Stroke

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