The anterior cerebral artery supplies blood to parts of the frontal and parietal lobes of the brain. Also known as the ACA, it is one of a pair of arteries essential to delivering oxygen to the brain. The anterior cerebral artery arises where theinternal carotid arteryends.

It curves upward and towards the middle of the brain, making up a portion of a ring of arteries located at the base of the brain called thecircle of Willis.Because of its essential function in supplying blood to the brain, disorders or trauma to theanteriorcerebral artery can lead to serious consequences such as stroke.

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Brain vascular system and blood supply. Artwork showing the brain with arteries (red) and veins (blue).

Anatomy and Function

Along with themiddle cerebral artery, the ACA is a terminal branch of the internal carotid artery, which is the primary source of blood to the brain. From there, it travels up and across the front of the brain to enter thecorpus callosum(the bundle of nerves in the middle of the brain that divides the right and left hemispheres) above theoptic nerve.

The right and left ACAs are major components of the circle of Willis. These are mainly divided into three sections, some of which have important branches:

The arteries that branch from the ACA in these segments include:

Anatomical Variations

Several variations in the structure of the ACA have been observed. Though relatively rare, they’re clinically significant and include:

Associated Conditions

Obstruction or constriction of the ACA can lead to stroke. A stroke blocking blood flow to the brain prevents oxygen from reaching it and can prove fatal. It also can lead to symptoms that include:

Ananeurysm—a bulging of the ACA due to weakened walls—also can occur. This can lead to rupture of the vessel, and the biggest risk is that blood can then damage surrounding brain areas. These cases are medical emergencies; if treatment isn’t sought out quickly, they can be fatal.

Arteriovenous malformations are genetic anomalies that can involve the ACA.Because of the atypical connection of arteries and veins, there is a risk that vessel walls can burst or leak, bleeding into the brain. The condition can be treated in both children and adults.

Certain health conditions can increase the risk of stroke. They include high blood pressure,diabetes, andatherosclerosis(narrowed blood vessels).

Summary

The anterior cerebral artery is a primary source of blood flow to parts of the brain. It arises from the internal carotid artery and supplies blood through a network of vessels called the circle of Willis. Anatomical variants are not uncommon with the ACA.

Stroke and brain aneurysm are conditions that can occur when the ACA is blocked or damaged. In some cases, an arteriovenous malformation present at birth can present a risk of bleeding or rupture in the brain. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have concerning stroke symptoms or a health condition, such as high blood pressure, that can increase the risk of stroke.

10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Eto F, Yoshimoto T, Okazaki S, Nishimura K, Ogura S, Yamaguchi E,et al.RNF213p.R4810K (c.14429G > A) Variant Determines Anatomical Variations of the Circle of Willis in Cerebrovascular Disease.Front Aging Neurosci. 2021 Jul 15;13:681743. doi:10.3389/fnagi.2021.681743Mincă DI, Rusu MC, Rădoi PM, Hostiuc S, Toader C.Transcallosal and Pericallosal Courses of the Anterior Cerebral Artery.Medicina (Kaunas). 2022 Sep 28;58(10):1365. doi:10.3390/medicina58101365Valenza G, Passamonti L, Duggento A, Toschi N, Barbieri R.Uncovering complex central autonomic networks at rest: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study on complex cardiovascular oscillations.J R Soc Interface. 2020 Mar;17(164):20190878. doi:10.1098/rsif.2019.0878Pishe VM, Sawalgi VC, Kapoor A, Rajesh A, Saradhi MV.Does Gyrus Rectus Bleed Always Means ACA Territory Aneurysm? Importance of Viewing CT Angiogram in Console.Neurol India. 2023 Jul-Aug;71(4):800-801. doi:10.4103/0028-3886.383868Kaplanoglu H, Ozturk EK.Magnetic resonance angiographic study of the anatomical variations of the anterior communicating artery complex in a Turkish population.Turk Neurosurg. 2024;34(1):142-147. doi:10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.42817-22.1Gaillard F, Carroll D.Anterior cerebral artery: Radiology Reference Article.Radiopaedia.org. https://radiopaedia.org/articles/anterior-cerebral-artery?lang=us.American Stroke Association.Stroke Symptoms.Hou K, Wang Y, Li W, Yu J.Endovascular treatment of brain arteriovenous malformations involving the anterior cerebral artery.Med Int (Lond). 2021 Nov 8;1(5):22. doi:10.3892/mi.2021.22Stanford Medicine.Arteriovenous Malformation.American Stroke Association.Stroke Risk Factors.

10 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Eto F, Yoshimoto T, Okazaki S, Nishimura K, Ogura S, Yamaguchi E,et al.RNF213p.R4810K (c.14429G > A) Variant Determines Anatomical Variations of the Circle of Willis in Cerebrovascular Disease.Front Aging Neurosci. 2021 Jul 15;13:681743. doi:10.3389/fnagi.2021.681743Mincă DI, Rusu MC, Rădoi PM, Hostiuc S, Toader C.Transcallosal and Pericallosal Courses of the Anterior Cerebral Artery.Medicina (Kaunas). 2022 Sep 28;58(10):1365. doi:10.3390/medicina58101365Valenza G, Passamonti L, Duggento A, Toschi N, Barbieri R.Uncovering complex central autonomic networks at rest: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study on complex cardiovascular oscillations.J R Soc Interface. 2020 Mar;17(164):20190878. doi:10.1098/rsif.2019.0878Pishe VM, Sawalgi VC, Kapoor A, Rajesh A, Saradhi MV.Does Gyrus Rectus Bleed Always Means ACA Territory Aneurysm? Importance of Viewing CT Angiogram in Console.Neurol India. 2023 Jul-Aug;71(4):800-801. doi:10.4103/0028-3886.383868Kaplanoglu H, Ozturk EK.Magnetic resonance angiographic study of the anatomical variations of the anterior communicating artery complex in a Turkish population.Turk Neurosurg. 2024;34(1):142-147. doi:10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.42817-22.1Gaillard F, Carroll D.Anterior cerebral artery: Radiology Reference Article.Radiopaedia.org. https://radiopaedia.org/articles/anterior-cerebral-artery?lang=us.American Stroke Association.Stroke Symptoms.Hou K, Wang Y, Li W, Yu J.Endovascular treatment of brain arteriovenous malformations involving the anterior cerebral artery.Med Int (Lond). 2021 Nov 8;1(5):22. doi:10.3892/mi.2021.22Stanford Medicine.Arteriovenous Malformation.American Stroke Association.Stroke Risk Factors.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Eto F, Yoshimoto T, Okazaki S, Nishimura K, Ogura S, Yamaguchi E,et al.RNF213p.R4810K (c.14429G > A) Variant Determines Anatomical Variations of the Circle of Willis in Cerebrovascular Disease.Front Aging Neurosci. 2021 Jul 15;13:681743. doi:10.3389/fnagi.2021.681743Mincă DI, Rusu MC, Rădoi PM, Hostiuc S, Toader C.Transcallosal and Pericallosal Courses of the Anterior Cerebral Artery.Medicina (Kaunas). 2022 Sep 28;58(10):1365. doi:10.3390/medicina58101365Valenza G, Passamonti L, Duggento A, Toschi N, Barbieri R.Uncovering complex central autonomic networks at rest: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study on complex cardiovascular oscillations.J R Soc Interface. 2020 Mar;17(164):20190878. doi:10.1098/rsif.2019.0878Pishe VM, Sawalgi VC, Kapoor A, Rajesh A, Saradhi MV.Does Gyrus Rectus Bleed Always Means ACA Territory Aneurysm? Importance of Viewing CT Angiogram in Console.Neurol India. 2023 Jul-Aug;71(4):800-801. doi:10.4103/0028-3886.383868Kaplanoglu H, Ozturk EK.Magnetic resonance angiographic study of the anatomical variations of the anterior communicating artery complex in a Turkish population.Turk Neurosurg. 2024;34(1):142-147. doi:10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.42817-22.1Gaillard F, Carroll D.Anterior cerebral artery: Radiology Reference Article.Radiopaedia.org. https://radiopaedia.org/articles/anterior-cerebral-artery?lang=us.American Stroke Association.Stroke Symptoms.Hou K, Wang Y, Li W, Yu J.Endovascular treatment of brain arteriovenous malformations involving the anterior cerebral artery.Med Int (Lond). 2021 Nov 8;1(5):22. doi:10.3892/mi.2021.22Stanford Medicine.Arteriovenous Malformation.American Stroke Association.Stroke Risk Factors.

Eto F, Yoshimoto T, Okazaki S, Nishimura K, Ogura S, Yamaguchi E,et al.RNF213p.R4810K (c.14429G > A) Variant Determines Anatomical Variations of the Circle of Willis in Cerebrovascular Disease.Front Aging Neurosci. 2021 Jul 15;13:681743. doi:10.3389/fnagi.2021.681743

Mincă DI, Rusu MC, Rădoi PM, Hostiuc S, Toader C.Transcallosal and Pericallosal Courses of the Anterior Cerebral Artery.Medicina (Kaunas). 2022 Sep 28;58(10):1365. doi:10.3390/medicina58101365

Valenza G, Passamonti L, Duggento A, Toschi N, Barbieri R.Uncovering complex central autonomic networks at rest: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study on complex cardiovascular oscillations.J R Soc Interface. 2020 Mar;17(164):20190878. doi:10.1098/rsif.2019.0878

Pishe VM, Sawalgi VC, Kapoor A, Rajesh A, Saradhi MV.Does Gyrus Rectus Bleed Always Means ACA Territory Aneurysm? Importance of Viewing CT Angiogram in Console.Neurol India. 2023 Jul-Aug;71(4):800-801. doi:10.4103/0028-3886.383868

Kaplanoglu H, Ozturk EK.Magnetic resonance angiographic study of the anatomical variations of the anterior communicating artery complex in a Turkish population.Turk Neurosurg. 2024;34(1):142-147. doi:10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.42817-22.1

Gaillard F, Carroll D.Anterior cerebral artery: Radiology Reference Article.Radiopaedia.org. https://radiopaedia.org/articles/anterior-cerebral-artery?lang=us.

American Stroke Association.Stroke Symptoms.

Hou K, Wang Y, Li W, Yu J.Endovascular treatment of brain arteriovenous malformations involving the anterior cerebral artery.Med Int (Lond). 2021 Nov 8;1(5):22. doi:10.3892/mi.2021.22

Stanford Medicine.Arteriovenous Malformation.

American Stroke Association.Stroke Risk Factors.

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