CVS Practice Test

The Circle of Willis is a crucial arterial structure located at the base of the brain, providing a connecting network between the major arteries supplying blood to the brain. The correct connection includes the anterior cerebral arteries and the posterior cerebral arteries.

This arterial circle is formed by the anterior communicating artery connecting both anterior cerebral arteries and the posterior communicating arteries linking the internal carotid arteries to the posterior cerebral arteries. This configuration allows for collateral circulation, which helps maintain adequate blood flow to the brain even if one of the main arteries becomes occluded or narrowed. Understanding this connection is vital for comprehending the cerebral blood supply and potential vascular pathologies that can affect brain function.

Other options refer to structures that do not form the Circle of Willis. The internal and external carotid arteries represent primary vessels supplying the head and neck, rather than arteries that form a connection within the Circle. The vertebral arteries and basilar artery are part of a separate network of blood supply primarily associated with the posterior circulation of the brain. Lastly, superficial and deep temporal arteries are branches of the external carotid and do not contribute to the main cerebral circulation represented by the Circle of Willis.