Branches of posterior communicating artery within basal cisterns
The brain stem has now been cut across through the rostral part of the mesencephalon, the optic tract removed and the optic chiasm lifted somewhat out of its normal position. Numerous small arterial branches of the posterior communicating and posterior cerebral arteries which pass into the hypothalamus and interpeduncular fossa cross the basal cisterns (cisternae chiasmatis et interpeduncularis). Nearly the entire extent of the third ventricle is visible.