Abstract:

Objective To explore the anatomical features of recurrent artery of Heubner (RAH) of Chinese people. Methods The number, routes, outer diameter, branches, and perfused areas of RAHs of 90 cerebral hemispheres from 45 brain samples fixed by formalin of 10% were observed and measured by the operation microscope. Results A total of 128 RAHs were found in 45 brain samples. There were 1-3 RAHs in each cerebral hemisphere. The average number was (1.42±0.62) mm. The RAH started from 8 mm of the horizontal proximal segment to 3 mm of the distal segment of anterior communicating artery (ACoA). The average distance was (0.46±1.29) mm from the distal end of ACoA. The outer diameter was 0.05-1.20 mm and the average outer diameter was (0.64±0.24) mm. The length was 12-56 mm and the average length was (30.41±10.24) mm. The RAH supplied the cortex as well as the cerebral parenchyma. Conclusion RAH has anatomical variations. It is clinically helpful to identify anatomical features of RAH and its relationships with A1 segment of ACoA, orbitofrontal artery, and frontalpolar artery.

Key words: anatomy, anterior cerebral artery, recurrent artery of Heubner