Circle of Willis

Circle of Willis
The circle of Willis is an arterial circle of critical importance at the base of the brain. It is called an arterial anastomosis, a joining of arteries. The circle of Willis receives all of the blood pumped up the two internal carotid arteries (that come up the front of the neck) and the basilar artery formed by the union of the two vertebral arteries (that come up the back of the neck). All of the principal arteries supplying cerebral hemispheres of the brain come off of the circle of Willis. .

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circle of Wil·lis -'wil-əs n a complete ring of arteries at the base of the brain that is formed by the cerebral and communicating arteries and is a site of aneurysms
Willis Thomas (1621-1675)
British physician. One of the major figures of English medicine in the 17th century, Willis was a founder of the Royal Society. With all his notable achievements, he is known especially for his extensive study of the nervous system. In 1664 he produced Cerebri Anatome („Anatomy of the Brain”), the most complete and accurate description of the nervous system up to that time. This work contained his description of the circular anastomosis of arteries at the base of the brain that is now known as the circle of Willis. His description was not the first but it was the first complete one and was accompanied by an equally complete illustration.

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circulus arteriosus cerebri.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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  • Circle of Willis — Artery: Circle of Willis Schematic representation of the Circle of Willis, arteries of the brain and brain stem …   Wikipedia

  • circle of Willis — a circle on the undersurface of the brain formed by linked branches of the arteries that supply the brain. Most cerebral aneurysm occur on or near the circle of Willis. T. Willis (1621 75), English anatomist …   Medical dictionary

  • circle of Willis — a circle on the undersurface of the brain formed by linked branches of the arteries that supply the brain . Most cerebral aneurysms occur on or near the circle of Willis. [Willis (1621–75), English anatomist] …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • circle of Willis — noun a ring of arteries at the base of the brain • Hypernyms: ↑artery, ↑arteria, ↑arterial blood vessel • Part Holonyms: ↑brain, ↑encephalon * * * ˈwilə̇s Usage: usually capitalized W …   Useful english dictionary

  • Willis, circle of — The circle of Willis is an arterial circle of critical importance at the base of the brain. It is called an arterial anastomosis, a joining of arteries. The circle of Willis receives all of the blood pumped up the two internal carotid arteries… …   Medical dictionary

  • circle — 1. [TA] In anatomy, a ring shaped structure or group of structures, as formed by anastomosing arteries or veins, or by connected (communicating) nerves, 2. A line or process with every point approximately equidistant from the center. SYN:… …   Medical dictionary

  • willis's circle — noun Usage: usually capitalized W Etymology: after Thomas Willis died 1675 : circle of willis …   Useful english dictionary

  • Willis, Thomas — ▪ British physician born Jan. 27, 1621, Great Bedwyn, Wiltshire, Eng. died Nov. 11, 1675, London  British physicians, leader of the English iatrochemists, who attempted to explain the workings of the body from current knowledge of chemical… …   Universalium

  • Willis Hall — (6 April 1929 7 March 2005) was an English playwright and radio and television writer who drew on his working class Leeds roots in much of his material. His most famous creation was probably Billy Liar (1960), co written with life long friend and …   Wikipedia

  • circle of Wil|lis — «WIHL ihs», Anatomy. a circle formed by several connecting cerebral arteries at the base of the brain. ╂[< Thomas Willis, 1621 1675, an English anatomist] …   Useful english dictionary

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