Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAnatomyFunctionClinical SignificanceSummary
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Anatomy
Function
Clinical Significance
Summary
The posterior communicating artery (PCOM) is a part of a group of arteries in the brain known as the circle of Willis. The artery connects the internal carotid and the posterior cerebral arteries. Its role is to provide blood supply to the brain. The posterior communicating artery is a location whereaneurysmscan potentially occur.
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The posterior communicating artery is located in the back of the head at the back end of thecircle of Willis. The circle of Willis is a band of arteries at the base of the brain that connects the major arterial systems to the brain.
As part of the lower half of the circle of Willis, the PCOM artery starts from theinternal carotid artery(ICA) and joins the internal carotid and the posterior cerebral arteries (PCA). It is located on the left and right sides of the head and is relatively short.
The posterior cerebral arteries branch off from thebasilar artery. The left and right PCAs form the longest sections of the circle of Willis. The internal carotid arteries are located in the front of the neck. They travel through the carotid canal, where they enter the skull.
An anatomical variation called the fetal posterior communicating artery occurs when the posterior communicating artery is significantly larger than the posterior cerebral artery. When this happens, the posterior communicating artery becomes the main pathway instead of the basilar artery.
Arteriesare blood vessels that transport oxygen and blood to the cells in the body. The posterior communicating artery supplies blood and oxygen to the brain in instances where the internal carotid or posterior cerebral arteries are blocked.
The posterior cerebral arteries provide blood to the occipital and choroid plexus,midbrain, thalamus, and choroid plexus. The internal carotid supplies the head and brain with blood.
In the circle of Willis, the anterior arteries supply blood and oxygen to the front of the brain, and the posterior arteries are responsible for supplying blood and oxygen to the back of the brain.
Conditions affecting the PCOM can have a major impact on the brain.
Aneurysm
The posterior communicating artery is a potential location for ananeurysm, a bulging area in an artery. Aneurysms in this location make up about 15% to 20% of all intracranial aneurysms.
Symptoms do not always occur with aneurysms, especially if they haven’t ruptured. When they do occur, symptoms may include:
Aneurysms are not always fatal, but they can be deadly, especially if they rupture. A diagnosis may be made using:
Lifestyle changes may be suggested to reduce the risk of a rupture. Avoiding activities that may involve a risk of hitting your head or increasing your blood pressure may be some things that your healthcare provider advises.
Stroke
Astrokeoccurs when there is an interruption of blood flow in an artery. This blockage keeps blood from reaching its destination in the brain, resulting in a loss of function in the affected region.
Strokes can happen when a blood clot gets lodged in an artery, becomes blocked from disease, or if a blood vessel bleeds. Spotting a stroke as it happens is important so that a person can receive treatment and can have a better chance of rehabilitation.
Healthcare providers have developed the acronym FAST to make it easier to remember the signs to watch for:
In the hospital, healthcare providers may use the following tests and imaging to diagnose a stroke:
Treatmentfor stroke usually involves blood thinners, heparin, and aspirin. Managing blood pressure, blood glucose, fluids, and electrolytes are also important. Surgery is not a common treatment for strokes but may be recommended in some circumstances.
Traumatic Brain Injury
Head trauma can damage the PCOM.Traumatic brain injuries(TBI) that damage the PCOM can occur from falls, blows to the head, accidents, and sports injuries.
Symptoms of a TBI can vary, but might include:
The posterior communicating artery (PCOM) is a small artery in the brain that connects the internal carotid and the posterior cerebral arteries. Its main purpose is to provide an alternative blood supply route to the brain in instances where the internal carotid or posterior cerebral arteries are blocked. Like many other arteries, the PCOM is susceptible to aneurysms and damage from trauma, which can lead to stroke or other complications.
7 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.Murphy A, Jones J.Posterior communicating artery.Radiopaedia.Org.Gaillard F, Scott L, Kogan J, et al.Posterior cerebral artery.Radiopaedia.org.Sharma RK, Kumar A, Yamada Y, et al.Institutional experience of microsurgical management in posterior circulation aneurysm.Asian J Neurosurg. 2020;15(3):484-493. Published 2020 Aug 28. doi:10.4103/ajns.AJNS_69_20Roi DP, Mueller JD, Lobotesis K, et al.Intracranial aneurysms: looking beyond size in neuroimaging: the role of anatomical factors and haemodynamics.Quant Imaging Med Surg. 2019;9(4):537-545. doi:10.21037/qims.2019.03.19NHS.Brain aneurysm symptoms.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Stroke signs and symptoms.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of mild TBI and concussion.
7 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.Murphy A, Jones J.Posterior communicating artery.Radiopaedia.Org.Gaillard F, Scott L, Kogan J, et al.Posterior cerebral artery.Radiopaedia.org.Sharma RK, Kumar A, Yamada Y, et al.Institutional experience of microsurgical management in posterior circulation aneurysm.Asian J Neurosurg. 2020;15(3):484-493. Published 2020 Aug 28. doi:10.4103/ajns.AJNS_69_20Roi DP, Mueller JD, Lobotesis K, et al.Intracranial aneurysms: looking beyond size in neuroimaging: the role of anatomical factors and haemodynamics.Quant Imaging Med Surg. 2019;9(4):537-545. doi:10.21037/qims.2019.03.19NHS.Brain aneurysm symptoms.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Stroke signs and symptoms.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of mild TBI and concussion.
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.
Murphy A, Jones J.Posterior communicating artery.Radiopaedia.Org.Gaillard F, Scott L, Kogan J, et al.Posterior cerebral artery.Radiopaedia.org.Sharma RK, Kumar A, Yamada Y, et al.Institutional experience of microsurgical management in posterior circulation aneurysm.Asian J Neurosurg. 2020;15(3):484-493. Published 2020 Aug 28. doi:10.4103/ajns.AJNS_69_20Roi DP, Mueller JD, Lobotesis K, et al.Intracranial aneurysms: looking beyond size in neuroimaging: the role of anatomical factors and haemodynamics.Quant Imaging Med Surg. 2019;9(4):537-545. doi:10.21037/qims.2019.03.19NHS.Brain aneurysm symptoms.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Stroke signs and symptoms.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of mild TBI and concussion.
Murphy A, Jones J.Posterior communicating artery.Radiopaedia.Org.
Gaillard F, Scott L, Kogan J, et al.Posterior cerebral artery.Radiopaedia.org.
Sharma RK, Kumar A, Yamada Y, et al.Institutional experience of microsurgical management in posterior circulation aneurysm.Asian J Neurosurg. 2020;15(3):484-493. Published 2020 Aug 28. doi:10.4103/ajns.AJNS_69_20
Roi DP, Mueller JD, Lobotesis K, et al.Intracranial aneurysms: looking beyond size in neuroimaging: the role of anatomical factors and haemodynamics.Quant Imaging Med Surg. 2019;9(4):537-545. doi:10.21037/qims.2019.03.19
NHS.Brain aneurysm symptoms.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Stroke signs and symptoms.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of mild TBI and concussion.
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