Circle of Willis

Ling Kho
Draw circle of Willis?
 Introduction
• Circle of Willis also called cerebral arterial
circle or Willis polygon
• Circulatory anastomosis that supplied blood to
the brain and surrounding structures
• One artery is blocked the arterial circle may
provide collateral circulation
 Circle of Willis
• Circle of Willis is located at the base
of the brain
• Union of 2 internal carotid arteries
and 2 vertebral arteries
• 2/3 of supply from 2 internal carotid
arteries
• 1/3 of supply from 2 vertebral
arteries
• Internal carotid arteries give rise to
– Anterior cerebral arteries
– Middle cerebral arteries
• Vertebral arteries form the Basilar
artery
• Basilar artery divides into 2
posterior cerebral arteries
 Circle of Willis
• Anterior
communication
artery joins 2 anterior
cerebral arteries
• Posterior
communicating artery
runs from posterior
cerebral artery to
internal carotid
arteries on each side
 Supply
• Anterior cerebral artery : Superior
and medial of cerebral hemispheres
– Occlusion results in weakness and
sensory loss in the lower leg and
foot opposite to the lesion and
behavioral changes.
• Middle cerebral artery: Lateral
surface of frontal , parietal and
temporal lobes
– Occlusion results in contralateral
motor and sensory paralysis of face
and arm
• Posterior cerebral artery : Occipital
and inferior of temporal lobes
– Occlusion results in blindness in
contralateral hemianopia with
macular sparing, inability to form
new memories
Supply
Occlusion of Posterior Inferior
Cerebellar Artery
Occlusion of Anterior Spinal Artery
Name the arteries