Term: posterior communicating artery pericyte
Note: This page represents a term created by the combination ("post-composition") of two ontology terms. For more information on the individual terms, click the hyperlinked name.
Name: posterior communicating artery
Synonyms: caudal communicating segment, PCA, PCS, posterior communicating segment of the basilar artery
Definition: An artery that connects caudal division of the internal carotid artery and the basal communicating artery to the basilar artery.
Ontology: Anatomy Ontology [ZFA:0005001]
Name: pericyte
Synonyms: pericytes, perivascular cells
Definition: An elongated, contractile cell found wrapped about precapillary arterioles outside the basement membrane. Pericytes are present in capillaries where proper adventitial and muscle layer are missing (thus distinguishing this cell type from adventitial cells). They are relatively undifferentiated and may become fibroblasts, macrophages, or smooth muscle cells.
Ontology: Anatomy Ontology [ZFA:0009112]