Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 14, 2026

Protocol for Isolating the Mouse Circle of Willis
Published on: October 22, 2016
[Association of three anatomical variants of the anterior cerebral circulation]
Gervith Reyes-Soto1, Julio Pérez-Cruz, Luis Delgado-Reyes
1Laboratorio de Anatomía Microquirúrgica del Sistema Nervioso, Departamento de Anatomía, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, UNAM, México, D.F., Mexico. gervith_rs@hotmail.com
Background:
As part of a study of the microsurgical anatomy of the pericallosal artery, we describe one brain with three unusual anatomical variants.
Methods:
From the autopsy of a 45 year-old female, we extracted the brain and all the arterial blood vessels were washed off with saline solution to be injected afterwards with red latex. The brain was then immersed in 10% formalin for two months. Finally, we dissected and measured the internal carotid artery segments, using a digital Vernier caliper under a Carl Zeiss OPMI surgical microscope with magnification of 6x up to 40x.
Results:
The brain's weight was 1250 grams and three rare anatomical variants were found: 1) right accessory middle cerebral artery (ACMA-d), 2) right bihemispheric anterior cerebral artery (ACABihem-d), 3) median artery of the corpus callosum (AMCC).
Conclusion:
The association of the anatomical variations described previously is inconstant; furthermore, their appearance in a single case is rare.
Related Concept Videos
The Arch of Aorta
Encircling the heart, the coronary arteries form a ring-like structure before...
Arteries of the Head and Neck
The internal carotid arteries supply blood to the anterior portion of the cerebrum. They enter the...
Anastomoses
Anastomoses can be formed at arterial, venous, and lymphatic vessels.
Arterial Anastomosis: These occur between arteries. They are most common in...
Overview of Systemic Arteries
Systemic circulation is the part of the cardiovascular system that carries oxygenated blood away from the heart to the body's tissues and returns deoxygenated blood back to the heart.
Anatomy of the Brain: Ventricles
Coronary Circulation
Coronary circulation begins at the base of the aorta, where two main arteries arise—the left and right coronary arteries. These arteries encircle the heart in the coronary sulcus and supply the...

