What is the function of the circle of Willis quizlet?

Circle of Willis – What is it? It is a circulatory anastomosis (connection between blood arteries)that supplies blood to the brain and surrounding structures.

What is the function of cerebral arterial circle?

The circle of Willis (also called Willis’ circle, loop of Willis, cerebral arterial circle, and Willis polygon) is a circulatory anastomosis that supplies blood to the brain and surrounding structures in reptiles, birds and mammals, including humans.

What is a stroke and how does it relate to the circle of Willis?

The basilar artery and the internal carotid arteries communicate with each other in a ring at the base of the brain called the Circle of Willis. The middle cerebral artery is the artery most often blocked during a stroke. Figure 1. A stroke is a sudden interruption of the blood supply to the brain.

What is the circle of Willis made up of?

Although significant anatomic variations exist, the circle of Willis is typically composed of three cerebral and two communicating arteries that link the internal carotid arteries and the vertebrobasilar system. The internal carotid arteries supply most of the forebrain.

What are the 3 anastomoses contained within the cerebral arterial circle or circle of Willis?

The circle of Willis surrounds the optic tracts, pituitary stalk, and basal hypothalamus. It includes the three sets of paired cerebral arteries plus the anterior communicating artery, interconnecting the ACAs, and the posterior communicating arteries, interconnecting the MCAs and PCAs.

What does the circle of Willis consist of?

What part of the brain does the circle of Willis supply?

The circle of Willis encircles the stalk of the pituitary gland and provides important communications between the blood supply of the forebrain and hindbrain (ie, between the internal carotid and vertebro-basilar systems following obliteration of primitive embryonic connections).

How does the circle of Willis provide insurance against brain infarction?

The circle of Willis also allows blood to flow across the midline of the brain if an artery on one side is occluded. The circle of Willis thereby serves a safety valve function for the brain, allowing collateral circulation (or flow of blood through an alternate route) to take place if the flow is reduced to one area.

What arteries contribute to the circle of Willis?

The circle of Willis begins to form when the right and left internal carotid artery (ICA) enters the cranial cavity and each one divides into two main branches: the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) and middle cerebral artery (MCA).

What are the 3 main branches of the circle of Willis?

Who discovered the circle of Willis?

Thomas Willis
Thomas Willis (1621-1675) (Figure 7) is best known for his description and figuration of the circle of Willis.

What are the 3 main branches of the circle of Willis and what areas of the brain do they supply?