Cerebrovascular Anatomy: Laboratory Research, Education, Innovations, and Future Directions

Over the past century, major advances in the field of cerebrovascular anatomic research have transformed the craft of cerebrovascular surgery into a modern art. A thorough anatomic understanding of the complex cerebrovascular anatomy is crucial to a successful surgical procedure. Despite clear descriptions of the anatomic "norms" and "variations" in the existing literature, research on this topic is far from diminishing. This article reviews the roots, early and contemporary evolution, and status of the cerebrovascular and skull base anatomic research field and its various aspects and limitations. It also discusses the different areas amenable to potential improvement and future directions.