ABSTRACT
Background:Anterior communicating artery connects the two anterior cerebral arteries across the commencement of the longitudinal fissure. Anterior communicating artery is an important artery to form the circle of Willis. The present study was conducted to know the variations of anterior communicating artery, including number, diameter, length, course and direction of placement. Knowledge of the variations of anterior communicating artery is important for radiologists, neurosurgeons and anatomists. Materials and methods: This was a retrospective study with a duration of more than eight years, which was conducted on 100 adult embalmed human cadaveric brains conducted in the Department of Anatomy, Subharti Medical College, Swami Vivekanand Subharti University, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India. After removal of the brain from cadavers used in routine educational dissection for MBBS students, the anterior communicating artery was dissected and cleaned, then measurements were taken and digitally photographed. Results:Among the 100 adult brains, the anterior communicating artery was absent in 3% of specimens. The course was oblique in 56% of specimens and horizontally placed in the remaining 44%. No duplication or triplication was seen. The mean length was 2.80 mm and mean diameter 1.11 mm. Conclusions:From the present study we conclude that the variations of anterior communicating artery are common. The anterior communicating artery was absent in 3% of specimens. Oblique and horizontal patterns were also seen. There was no duplication or triplication. Knowledge about the wide range of variations of this artery is important for neurosurgeons, radiologists and anatomists.
