Cerebral artery

Cerebral arteries” is not a single molecule or receptor but rather refers collectively to the main arteries supplying blood to the brain—principally the anterior, middle, and posterior cerebral arteries[7][1][2]. This label is not a canonical molecular target (receptor, enzyme, etc.), but instead designates a class of anatomical vascular structures. The **cerebral arteries** comprise the three paired arteries—the **anterior**, **middle**, and **posterior cerebral arteries**—that perfuse most of the brain’s cortex and deeper structures. They arise from the internal carotid and basilar arteries, forming part of the circle of Willis. Their primary function is to supply oxygen and nutrients via blood flow to neural tissue, and their disruption leads to various cerebrovascular diseases. Anatomical and developmental variants are common, which affects disease risk and treatment strategies[1][2][7]. To properly specify a molecular target relevant for drug action or biomarker use, one should use the name of a molecule expressed by cerebral arteries (e.g., “Endothelin receptor type A,” “L-type calcium channel,” or “Smooth muscle myosin”), not “cerebral arteries” in general.

Other names

Brain arteryCerebral blood vesselCircle of Willis arteries (collectively, though “Circle of Willis” is a structure formed by cerebral arteries)