MORPHOLOGICAL VARIANTS OF THE CIRCLE OF WILLIS AND THEIR ROLE IN ISCHEMIC STROKE RISK
Аннотация
Abstract: The Circle of Willis is a crucial arterial anastomosis located at the base of the brain. It ensures redundancy in cerebral circulation, maintaining perfusion in case of vascular occlusion. However, only a minority of individuals have a complete and symmetric Circle of Willis. The high prevalence of morphological variants—such as hypoplasia or absence of component arteries—may compromise cerebral collateral capacity. This article reviews the anatomical configurations of the Circle of Willis, evaluates their embryological origins, and explores their implications in ischemic stroke vulnerability.
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