Anatomy · General Anatomy / Applied Anatomy

End arteries and collateral circulation with clinical importance

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Anastomosis: union between branches of two arteries, providing a collateral channel for circulation if one artery is blocked.
End arteries: arteries whose branches do not anastomose with branches of adjacent arteries.

Types of Arterial Anastomosis

Types of arterial anastomosis

Type	Mechanism	Example
Actual, end to end	Arteries join end to end	Labial arteries, facial arteries, arterial arches of palm and sole
Actual, convergent	Two arteries converge and unite to form a larger artery	Two vertebral arteries uniting to form the basilar artery
Potential	Union between terminal arterioles	Coronary arteries

Type

Actual, end to end

Mechanism: Arteries join end to end
Example: Labial arteries, facial arteries, arterial arches of palm and sole

Actual, convergent

Mechanism: Two arteries converge and unite to form a larger artery
Example: Two vertebral arteries uniting to form the basilar artery

Potential

Mechanism: Union between terminal arterioles
Example: Coronary arteries

In potential anastomosis, sudden blockage of an artery does not permit collateral circulation.
Given sufficient time, the arterioles of a potential anastomosis can dilate and establish collateral circulation.

End Arteries