Anatomical variations of the cerebral arterial circle in adult cadavers from Western Bahia, Brazil

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.2176-7262.rmrp.2025.215116

Keywords:

Cerebral arterial circle, Neuroanatomy, Neurosurgery, Anatomical variation

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the main anatomical variables of the cerebral arterial circle in adult cadavers from western Bahia, Brazil. The research was conducted at the Forensic Medical Sector of the Technical Police Department, located in the city of Barreiras, Bahia State. The sample consisted of 34 adult cadavers submitted to autopsy, with the inclusion criterion being the absence of damage to the brain. Results showed that only two brains exhibited the classical configuration of the cerebral arterial circle, while the remaining specimens presented at least one anatomical variation: agenesis, duplication, hypoplasia, bifurcation, trifurcation, fenestration, or an unusual course of vessels. The communicating arteries were the most frequently involved in these variations, particularly the posterior communicating arteries, with agenesis being the most prevalent variation, followed by duplication and hypoplasia. The findings of this study are consistent with alterations reported in other populations. However, unique observations such as bifurcation, trifurcation, atypical origins of specific vessels, and the proportions of anatomical variables among different blood vessels suggest that region-specific factors may influence distinctive vascular anatomy. These factors warrant further investigation and should be correlated with the most common pathologies.

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Author Biographies

  • Matheus de Assis Araújo, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Diamantina, (MG), Brasil

    Médico residente em Neurocirurgia

  • Elisangela Ferraz Pazinato, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Hospital de Clínicas, Uberaba, (MG), Brasil

    Médica Neurologista 

  • Marcia da Silva Sá Teles, Instituto Federal da Bahia, Barreiras, (BA), Brasil

    Professora

  • Giovana Melo Faria, Universidade Federal do Oeste da Bahia, Centro das Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Barreiras, (BA), Brasil

    Médica

  • Silvio Pereira Ramos Junior, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Diamantina, (MG), Brasil

    Neurocirurgião e professor de Neuroanatomia

  • Any Kelly Gomes de Lima, Universidade Federal do Oeste da Bahia, Centro das Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Barreiras, (BA), Brasil

    Professora de Anatomia Humana 

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Published

2026-03-31

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Section

Original Articles

How to Cite

1.
Araújo M de A, Pazinato EF, Teles M da SS, Faria GM, Ramos Junior SP, Lima AKG de. Anatomical variations of the cerebral arterial circle in adult cadavers from Western Bahia, Brazil. Medicina (Ribeirão Preto) [Internet]. 2026 Mar. 31 [cited 2026 Apr. 2];58(4):e-215116. Available from: https://revistas.usp.br/rmrp/article/view/215116