[The classification of aneurysms of the cerebral arteries]

Brain aneurysms are generally subdivided into so-called congenital and acquired (atherosclerotic, embolic and others). This classification does not reflect the reality as more than twenty brain aneurysms of different origin are already known. The classification suggested by the author is grounded on two interconnected features--etiology and pathogenesis--and uses also the term "bifurcation-hemodynamic aneurysms" (instead of so-called congenital aneurysms). This term reflects current understanding of aneurysm etiology and allows one to overcome the psychological barrier which prevented to create a rational classification.