anterior cerebral artery

Introduction

The smaller of 2 terminal branches of internal carotid artery (the middle cerebral artery is the larger branch). The anterior cerebral artery is divided into 2 parts: A1: proximal to the anterior communicating artery A2: distal to the anterior communicating artery

Origin

internal carotid artery

Course

• passes anteriorly, loops around the genu of the corpus callosum
• passes in the interhemispheric fissure on either side

Branches

A1: (proximal)

• anteromedial central arteries
  • proximal medial striate arteries
  • supraoptic arteries
  • anterior perforating arteries
  • preoptic arteries

A2: (distal)

• distal medial striate artery
• medial frontobasal artery
• polar frontal artery
• two large terminal branches
  • pericallosal artery
  • callosomarginal artery

Anastomoses

• the right & left joined by anterior communicating artery

Distribution

• supplies medial portions of frontal & parietal lobes & corpus callosum
• branches supply medial portion of orbital surface of the frontal lobe including olfactory bulb & tract

More general terms

• artery

Additional terms

• anterior communicating artery