Variations in the origin and contributions of arteries supplying the human hippocampus: an anatomical study

ABSTRACT

Variations in the arterial supply in the human brain are not uncommon. Of particular interest is that of the hippocampus. Knowledge of the vascular anatomy is a key to the surgical treatment of pathologies in this region. The aim of the work is a detailed description of the variations and contribution of the anterior choroidal artery and the branches of the posterior cerebral artery to the supply of the hippocampus and comparing the results with previous studies. Formalin-fixed brains from 15 adult cadavers [30 hemispheres] were examined using a magnifying lens. The hippocampus is identified, and the arteries that are in the vicinity to hippocampus were carefully dissected and studied. The anterior choroidal artery [AchA], and the lateral posterior choroidal arteries [LPChAs] were present in 100% of the specimens examined. AChA anastomosed with the anterior branches of LPChA in 31% of specimens. The hippocampal artery, a branch of the posterior cerebral artery, was present in 82.8% of specimen. The anterior and middle temporal arteries were present in 80% of hemispheres. ACA has the most constant origin, course and distribution. It supplied the rstral and middle portions of the hippocampus and in the absence of the hippocampal arterial branches of the posterior cerebral artery [PCA], AchA supplied the major portion of the hippocampus. The branches, mainly from P-2 A and P-2P segments, of the PCA supplied the middle and posterior portions of the hippocampus. Variations in their origin from different segments were noted. The major branches were the LPChAs, the hippocampal arteu, the anterior and middle temporal arteries. The common temporal artery did not contribute to the arterial supply of the hippocampus