Stroke Research & Therapy

Cerebral Circulation is the movement of blood (blood flow) or circulates, in the brain through the network of blood vessels. During cerebral circulation, the arteries deliver oxygenated blood, glucose and other nutrients to the brain and the veins carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart, removing carbon dioxide, lactic acid, and other metabolic products. Cerebral circulation is important for healthy brain function. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) is the blood supply to the brain in a given period of time. Blood is supplied to the brain, face, and scalp via two major sets of vessels: the right and left common carotid arteries and the right and left vertebral arteries. Blood is carried to the brain by two paired arteries, the carotid arteries and the vertebral arteries. The jugular and other veins bring blood out of the brain. The carotid arteries run along the front of the neck and the external carotid arteries supply blood to the face and scalp. At the base of the brain, the carotid and vertebrobasilar arteries form a circle of communicating arteries known as the Circle of Willis.