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CIRCLE OF WILLIS

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CIRCLE OF WILLIS

CIRCLE OF WILLIS   

(also called Willis’ circle, loop of Willis, cerebral arterial circle, and Willis polygon) is a circulatory anastomosis that supplies blood to the brain and surrounding structures. 

  • The arrangement of the brain’s arteries into the Circle of Willis creates redundancies or collaterals in the cerebral circulation.
  • It lies in the subarachnoid space within the deep interpeduncular cistern.
  • Surrounds the optic chiasma, the infundibulum and other structures of the interpeduncular fossa.
  • Distal part of the Circle of Willis requires access to the vertebral artery via Suboccipital triangle.

STRUCTURE:

  • forms a polygonal anastomotic channel b/w two internal carotid and two vertebral arteries.

The Circle of Willis is a part of the cerebral circulation and is composed of the following arteries:

  • In front: Anterior communicating artery
  • Anterolaterally: Two anterior cerebral artery.
  • Laterally: Proximal segments of both internal carotid arteries.
  • Postero-laterally: Two posterior communicating arteries.
  • Behind: Proximal segments of both Posterior cerebral arteries, arising at bifurcating terminal of basilar artery.
  • The middle cerebral arteries, supplying the brain, are not considered part of the circle.

 

ORIGIN:

  • The left and right internal carotid arteries arise from the left and right common carotid arteries.
  • The posterior communicating artery is given off as a branch of the internal carotid artery just before it divides into its terminal branches – the anterior and middle cerebral arteries. 
  • The anterior cerebral artery forms the anterolateral portion of the circle of Willis, while the middle cerebral artery does not contribute to the circle.
  • The right and left posterior cerebral arteries arise from the basilar artery, which is formed by the left and right vertebral arteries.
  • The vertebral arteries arise from the subclavian arteries.
  • The anterior communicating artery connects the two anterior cerebral arteries and could be said to arise from either the left or right side.
  • All arteries involved give off cortical and central branches. 
  • The central branches supply the interior of the circle of Willis, more specifically, the Interpeduncular fossa.
  • The cortical branches are named for the area they supply. Since they do not directly affect the circle of Willis, they are not dealt with here.

FUNCTIONS:

  • The arrangement of the brain’s arteries into the circle of Willis creates redundancy (analogous to engineered redundancy) for collateral circulation in the cerebral circulation. 
  • If one part of the circle becomes blocked or narrowed (stenosed) or one of the arteries supplying the circle is blocked or narrowed, blood flow from the other blood vessels can often preserve the cerebral perfusion well enough to avoid the symptoms of ischemia.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Aneurysms

Circle of Willis  aneurysms may lead to complications:
  • Most common cause of subarachnoid haemorrhage is ruptured saccular aneurysms. 
  • Most common site of saccular aneurysms is the anterior circulation on the circle of Willis.
  • Vasospasm is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality following aneurysmal subarachnoid  hemorrhage.
  • Berry aneurysms in Circle of Willis is associated with adult polycystic kidney disease.
  • Patients with ADPKD have a 2-4 fold increased risk subarachnoid or cerebral hemorrhage from ruptured berry aneurysm in the circle of Willis. 

Subclavian steal syndrome

  • The redundancies that the circle of Willis introduce can also lead to reduced cerebral perfusion.
  • In subclavian steal syndrome, blood is “stolen” from the circle of Willis to preserve blood flow to the upper limb. 
  • Subclavian steal syndrome results from a proximal stenosis (narrowing) of the subclavian artery, an artery supplied by the aorta which is also the same blood vessel that eventually feeds the circle of Willis via the vertebral artery.

Exam Important

  • Berry aneurysms in Circle of Willis  is commonly associated with adult polycystic kidney disease.
  • Rupture of saccular aneurysm of Circle of Willis is the commonest cause of subarachnoid haemorrhage.
  • Most common site of saccular aneurysms is the anterior circulation on the circle of Willis.
  • Vasospasm is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality following aneurysmal subarachnoid  hemorrhage.
  • Distal part of the Circle of Willis requires access to the vertebral artery via Suboccipital triangle.
  • Circle of Willis lies in subarachnoid space within the deep interpeduncular cistern.
  • Anterior communicating arteries in the circle of Willis is derived from Anterior cerebral artery.
  • Circle of willis is formed by Anterior cerebral artery (left and right), Anterior communicating artery, Internal carotid artery (left and right), Posterior cerebral artery (left and right) & Posterior communicating artery (left and right)

 

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