A large network of interconnecting blood vessels at the base of the
brain that when visualized resembles a circle, the arteries effectively act as anastomoses for each other. This means that if any one of the communicating arteries becomes blocked, blood can
flow from another part of the circle to ensure that blood
flow is not compromised.
The circle of Willis is formed by both the internal carotid arteries, entering the
brain from each side and the basilar artery, entering posteriorly. The connection of the vertebral arteries forms the basilar artery. The basilar artery divides into the right and left
posterior cerebral arteries.
The internal carotid arteries trifurcate into the
anterior cerebral artery, middle cerebral artery, and
posterior communicating artery.
The two
anterior cerebral arteries are joined together anteriorly by the
anterior communicating artery. The
posterior communicating arteries join the
posterior cerebral arteries, completing the circle of Willis.
The
time of flight angiography MRI technique allows imaging of the circle of Willis without the need of a
contrast medium (best results with
high field MRI). A cerebrovasular
contrast enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (
MRA) depicts the circle of Willis in addition to the vessels of the neck (carotid and vertebral arteries) with one
bolus injection of a
contrast agent.
For Ultrasound Imaging (USI) see
Cerebrovascular Ultrasonography at
Medical-Ultrasound-Imaging.com.