Anatomy

Circle of Willis

A polygonal anastomosis at the base of the brain formed by the internal carotid (CAROTID ARTERY, INTERNAL), proximal parts of the anterior, middle, and posterior cerebral arteries (ANTERIOR CEREBRAL ARTERY; MIDDLE CEREBRAL ARTERY; POSTERIOR CEREBRAL ARTERY), the anterior communicating artery and the posterior communicating arteries.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

A polygonal anastomosis at the base of the brain formed by the internal carotid (CAROTID ARTERY, INTERNAL), proximal parts of the anterior, middle, and posterior cerebral arteries (ANTERIOR CEREBRAL ARTERY; MIDDLE CEREBRAL ARTERY; POSTERIOR CEREBRAL ARTERY), the anterior communicating artery and the posterior communicating arteries.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Related Concepts

Knowledge Graph

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

5 entry terms
  • Cerebral Arterial Circle
  • Willis' Circle
  • Arterial Circle, Cerebral
  • Circle, Willis'
  • Willis Circle

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

23 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings abnormalities, anatomy & histology, chemistry, cytology, diagnostic imaging, drug effects, embryology, enzymology, growth & development, immunology, injuries, innervation, metabolism, microbiology, parasitology, pathology, physiology, physiopathology, radiation effects, surgery, transplantation, ultrastructure, virology.

MeSH Record

History Note

65

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

  1. A07w.015w.114w.228w.351w

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Circle of Willis. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D002941. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D002941
  2. Circle of Willis. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circle_of_Willis
  3. Circle of Willis. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q487595