Circle of willis

anatomist, celebrated for the dissections of the brain and of the cranial and spinal nerves, and his writings include the first use of the word ‘neurology’ itself.

Thomas Willis ( father of the specialty of neurology)

The study and treatment of the nervous system.

Neurology

The circle of Willis and other neurological features are illustrated in Willis’s book?

Cerebri anatome (‘The anatomy of the brain’) 1664

Who drew the meticulous illustrations for Willi’s book?

Christopher Wren

Why is the circle of Willis important?

B/c it helps to make sure oxygen and nutrient-rich blood reaches all areas of the brain

The circle of Willis is considered what type of system?

“Back up” system

How does the circle of Willis function as a highway bypass?

Allows for an alternate route if there is a traffic jam in the normal route

An example of a alternate route is if there is a blockage in the left internal carotid artery and blood is not able to reach the front of the left side of the brain, blood can move from where to where?

Right internal carotid artery through the anterior communicating artery to the left side of the brain

What does the brain need a constant supply of that the Circle of Willis provides?

Blood & Oxygen

What can affect the supply to the brain?

Conditions like aneurysms and strokes can affect it

Bulges in the arteries or ballooning of the blood vessels

Aneurysms

Disruption of blood flow to the brain

Strokes

What do physicians use to identify conditions

MRI, Interventional and special procedures

What is the most common location for brain aneurysms

network of arteries at the base of the brain called the Circle of Willis