Anomalous Branches of the Internal Cartoid Artery

Anomalous branches of the internal carotid artery are rarely demonstrated angiographically. Cases of the ascending pharyngeal, occipital, Vidian (pterygoid canal), and posterior inferior cerebellar arteries arising from the internal carotid artery are presented. A case of anomalous origin of the anterior cerebral artery from the internal carotid artery at the level of origin of the ophthalmic artery is also described. Brief embryological explanations of the vascular anomalies are given.