anterior communicating artery

The anterior communicating artery (ACOM) arises from the anterior cerebral artery and acts as an anastomosis between the left and right anterior cerebral circulation. Approximately 4 mm in length, it demarcates the junction between the A1 and A2 segments of the anterior cerebral artery.

Branches

The ACOM gives off numerous small branches that go on to supply the following structures:

• cingulate gyrus
• anterior columns of the fornix
• optic chiasm
• lamina terminalis
• hypothalamus
• para-olfactory areas

Variant anatomy

• ACOM duplication: incidence 18%
• ACOM fenestration: incidence ~15% (range 12-21%)
• ACA trifurcation arising from the ACOM: incidence ~7.5% (range 2-13%)
• absent ACOM: incidence 5% (surgical dissection)

If the vessel is not well seen on routine angiography, cross-compression view of the ACA/ACOM complex can be performed.

Siehe auch:

• Arteria cerebri anterior
• Hypothalamus
• Aneurysma Arteria communicans anterior
• Fistel Arteria communicans anterior
• rupturiertes Aneurysma der Arteria communicans anterior

und weiter:

• Circulus Willisi
• azygote Arteria cerebri anterior
• arterielle Versorgungsgebiete des Gehirns
• congenital absence of the internal carotid artery
• Heubner-Arterie
• cross compression view of the ACOM