| anterior cerebral artery | <anatomy, artery> One of the two terminal branches (with middle cerebral artery) of the internal carotid; it passes anterior, loops around the genu of the corpus callosum then posteriorly in the interhemispheric fissure along with its fellow of the opposite side, the two being joined by the anterior communicating artery; for descriptive purposes it is divided into two parts: the precommunical part (A2 segment of clinical terminology), supplying branches to the thalamus and corpus striatum, and the postcommunical part, (A2) or pericallosal artery, supplying branches to the cortex of the medial parts of the frontal and parietal lobes. Synonym: arteria cerebri anterior. (05 Mar 2000) |
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| anterior choroidal artery | <anatomy, artery> Origin, internal carotid or (rarely) middle cerebral artery; distribution, optic tract, crus cerebri, uncus, hippocampus, globus pallidus, posterior part of internal capsule, geniculate bodies of the thalamus, and choroid plexus in the inferior horn of the lateral ventricle. Synonym: arteria choroidea anterior. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anterior ciliary artery | <anatomy, artery> One of several arteries derived from muscular branches of the ophthalmic which perforate the anterior part of the sclera and anastomose with posterior ciliary arteries. Synonym: arteria ciliaris anterior. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anterior circumflex humeral artery | <anatomy, artery> Origin, axillary; distribution, shoulder joint and biceps muscle; anastomoses, posterior circumflex humeral artery. Synonym: arteria circumflexa humeri anterior, anterior humeral circumflex artery. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anterior communicating artery | <anatomy, artery> A short vessel joining the two anterior cerebral arteries and completing the cerebral arterial circle (circle of Willis) anteriorly. Synonym: arteria communicans anterior. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anterior conjunctival artery | <anatomy, artery> One of a number of small branches of the anterior ciliary arteries that supplies the conjunctiva. Synonym: arteria conjunctivalis anterior, conjunctival arteries. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anterior descending artery | <anatomy, artery> Anterior interventricular branch of left coronary artery. Terminal branch (with circumflex coronary artery) of left coronary artery; descends in anterior interventricular groove to apex, anastomosing with posterior interventricular artery. Supplies most of sternal aspect of ventricles and anterior two-thirds of interventricular septum, including atrioventricular bundle of conducting tissue. Synonym: ramus interventricularis anterior arteriae coronariae sinistrae, anterior descending artery. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anterior ethmoidal artery | <anatomy, artery> Origin, ophthalmic; distribution, cerebral membranes in anterior cranial fossa, anterior ethmoidal cells, frontal sinus, anterior upper part of nasal mucous membrane, skin of dorsum of nose. Synonym: arteria ethmoidalis anterior. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anterior humeral circumflex artery | <anatomy, artery> Origin, axillary; distribution, shoulder joint and biceps muscle; anastomoses, posterior circumflex humeral artery. Synonym: arteria circumflexa humeri anterior, anterior humeral circumflex artery. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anterior inferior cerebellar artery | <anatomy, artery> Origin, basilar; distribution, lower surface of lateral lobes of cerebellum, choroid plexus in cerebellopontine angle; anastomoses, posterior inferior cerebellar; usual source of labyrinthine artery. Synonym: arteria cerebelli inferior anterior. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anterior inferior segmental artery of kidney | Origin, anterior branch of renal. See: segmental arteries of kidney. Synonym: arteria segmenti anterioris inferioris renis, artery of anterior {inferior segment of kidney}. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anterior intercostal branches of internal thoracic artery | One of the arteries supplying the anterior portions of the intercostal spaces of the thoracic wall. Anterior intercostal arteries 1-6 arise as branches of the internal thoracic artery; 7-11 arise as branches of the musculophrenic artery. Synonym: rami intercostales anteriores, rami intercostalis anteriores arteria thoracica interna. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anterior interosseous artery | <anatomy, artery> Origin, common interosseous; distribution, deep parts of the forearm anteriorly; anastomoses, posterior interosseous. Synonym: arteria interossea anterior, arteria interossea volaris, volar interosseous artery. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anterior interventricular artery | <anatomy, artery> Anterior interventricular branch of left coronary artery. Terminal branch (with circumflex coronary artery) of left coronary artery; descends in anterior interventricular groove to apex, anastomosing with posterior interventricular artery. Supplies most of sternal aspect of ventricles and anterior two-thirds of interventricular septum, including atrioventricular bundle of conducting tissue. Synonym: ramus interventricularis anterior arteriae coronariae sinistrae, anterior descending artery. (05 Mar 2000) |
| anterior lateral malleolar artery | <anatomy, artery> Origin, anterior tibial; distribution, ankle joint; anastomoses, peroneal, lateral tarsal. Synonym: arteria malleolaris anterior lateralis. (05 Mar 2000) |