Generate image Show the Circle of Willis cerebral arterial circle with

Generate image Show the Circle of Willis (cerebral arterial circle) with all contributing arteries accurately branching from below.

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Circle of Willis — inferior view with all contributing arteries

Here is the Circle of Willis shown from an inferior (basal) perspective, with all major contributing vessels:

Anterior Circulation (from Internal Carotid Arteries):

ICA — Internal Carotid Artery (bilateral entry points)
ACA — Anterior Cerebral Artery (bilateral, courses anteromedially)
ACoA — Anterior Communicating Artery (bridges the two ACAs at the midline)
MCA — Middle Cerebral Artery (bilateral, exits laterally into the Sylvian fissure)
PCoA — Posterior Communicating Artery (bilateral, links ICA to PCA)

Posterior Circulation (Vertebrobasilar system):

Vertebral Arteries — ascend bilaterally and merge at the pontomedullary junction
Basilar Artery — formed by the union of both vertebral arteries; travels rostrally along the pons
PCA — Posterior Cerebral Artery (bilateral, arises at the basilar bifurcation)

The circle is completed by the communicating arteries (ACoA anteriorly, PCoAs posteriorly), forming a collateral anastomotic ring that can maintain perfusion if one vessel is occluded.

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