Fetal posterior cerebral artery

Last revised by Yahya Baba ◉ on 8 Jan 2023

Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data

Citation:

Gaillard F, Baba Y, Chieng R, et al. Fetal posterior cerebral artery. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 02 Oct 2023) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-4914

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-4914

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/4914?iframe=true

rID:

4914

Article created:

2 Nov 2008, Frank Gaillard ◉ ◈

Disclosures:

At the time the article was created Frank Gaillard had no recorded disclosures.

View Frank Gaillard's current disclosures

Last revised:

8 Jan 2023, Yahya Baba ◉

Disclosures:

At the time the article was last revised Yahya Baba had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.

View Yahya Baba's current disclosures

Revisions:

30 times, by 18 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Vascular, Central Nervous System

Tags:

refs, rewrite, variant

Synonyms:

Fetal PCOM
Fetal posterior comminucating artery
Fetal origin of posterior cerebral artery
Fetal P-comm
Fetal posterior cerebral arteries

A fetal (origin of the) posterior cerebral artery is a common variant in the posterior cerebral circulation, estimated to occur in 20-30% of individuals ².

The posterior communicating artery (PCom) is larger than the P1 segment of the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) and supplies the bulk of the blood to the PCA ⁴. Meanwhile, the type of PCom supplying the PCA is also called fetal PCom ⁵. If bilateral, the basilar artery is significantly smaller than normal.

The term is typically used to refer to the situation where the PCom is larger than the P1. However, variation in usage abounds.

The P1 can be small (hypoplastic) or absent. The significance is in the stroke pattern, as the PCA is practically a part of the anterior circulation. Additionally, a larger PCom with an existing P1 allows for collateral circulation.

In cases of non-fetal PCA, the PCom lies superomedial to the oculomotor nerve, whereas, in cases of fetal PCA, it lies superior or superolateral to it.