[Arteries of the opto-peduncular region of the sheep]

Abstract

The main features of the arterial plane of the base of the brain of 15 sheep are studied. Details of the topography and the importance of the manifold twigs going to the optic-peduncular formations and grey central nuclei are given also. In spite of the presence of a peculiar arterial polygon, since it has direct supply from a rete mirabile and that it depends almost exclusively on the external carotid arteries, the general diagram of the different arterial pedicles appears comparable with what was formerly pointed out in the dog (LIBERSA an coll., 1974) and even in man. It seems to be a proof of the morphological independance of the cerebral arterial system beyond the arterial polygon. The reason of the existence and appearance of the arterial plane of the base of the brain (internal carotid, external carotid, vertebral arteries) keeps an essentially functional meaning.