Una “anastomosi potenziale” vista in
Ramo labiale dell'arteria facciale
Arteria intercostale
Arteria coronaria
Arcate arteriose di mesentere
Arterial anastomosis is the communication between the arteries, or branches of arteries. Può essere reale o potenziale.

Actual Arterial Anastomosis: In actual arterial anastomosis the arteries meet end to end. For example, palmar arches, plantar arch, circle of Willis, intestinal arcades, labial branches of facial arteries.
Potential Arterial Anastomosis: In potential arterial anastomosis the communication takes place between the terminal arterioles. Such communications can dilate only gradually for collateral circulation. Therefore on sudden occlusion of a main artery, the anastomosis may fail to compensate the loss. Gli esempi si vedono nelle arterie coronarie e nei rami corticali delle arterie cerebrali.