[On the anatomical terms used for description of brain arteries and discrepancy between them and anatomical nomenclature].
The following terms are used in Russian literature to designate arteries, which carry blood into the brain: brachiocephalic arteries, aortic arch branches, main cerebral arteries (arteries of the head), extra- and intracranial cerebral arteries, precerebral arteries. All terms either have substantial drawbacks or conflict with the adopted anatomical terminology. These discrepancies become far more significant in view of publication of "Terminologia Anatomica" (New York, 1998). We suggest to discuss the possibility to use universal terminology for the designation of the system of the arteries, supplying the brain. We propose to designate truncus brachiocephalicus, common carotid and subclavian arteries, internal carotid and vertebral arteries with their branches including arterial network on the brain surface by the term "the conducting arteries", whereas small branches, which pierce the brain matter are to be named "the penetrating arteries" (T.M. Sundt et al., 1976). Considering the Greek word "encephalon", which means "the brain", all the arteries of the brain could be designated as encephalic, while conducting arteries--as preencephalic, and intracerebral (penetrating) arteries--as intraencephalic.