Morphometry of Posterior Cerebral Artery

Abstract

Introduction: Circle of Willis is an arterial circle made from communicating branches originating from carotid and vertebrobasilar arteries. The Posterior Cerebral Arteries (PCAs) are paired vessels, usually arising from the top of the basilar artery and form the lower boundary of circle of Willis. The left and right arteries supply oxygenated blood to the occipital lobe, the inferior part of the temporal lobe, the posterior limb of the internal capsule and the thalamus. Aim: To observe record and compare variations in the length and diameter of PCA. Materials and Methods: Sixty human formalin fixed brain specimens were obtained from cadavers donated for the study purpose in the Department of Anatomy, Government Medical College, Baroda and other medical colleges of Gujarat. The process was undertaken according to the dissection method as per the Cunningham’s manual. The variation in length and diameter of PCA was noted using digital Vernier calipers. Results: The mean length of right and left PCA was 6.64 mm and 6.49 mm respectively. The range of length was 4.1 mm to 7.9 mm on right side and 4.5 mm to 7.5 mm on left side. Mean diameter of right and left PCA was 2.53 mm and 2.49 mm respectively. The range of diameter was 2.1 mm to 3.6 mm on right side and 2.07 mm and 3.2 mm on left side. There was no statistically significant difference in mean of diameter (p=0.3755) and length (p=0.2538) of right and left side PCA. Conclusion: Wide range of variations found in length of right and left PCA. No anomaly found in PCA in present study. No statistically significant difference found in mean length and diameter between right and left PCA.

Keywords

• Circle of Willis
• Circulus arteriosus cerebri
• Microsurgical anatomy