[EN]The course of the internal carotid artery (ICA) and its segment classifications were reviewed by means of a new and freely
available 3D interactive model of the artery and the skull base, based on human neuroimages, that can be freely
downloaded at the Public Repository of the University of Barcelona (http://diposit.ub.edu/dspace/handle/2445/112442)
and runs under Acrobat Reader in Mac and Windows computers and Windows 10 tablets. The 3D-PDF allows zoom,
rotation, selective visualization of structures, and a predefined sequence view. Illustrative images of the different classifi cations were obtained. Fischer (Zentralbl Neurochir 3:300–313, 1938) described five segments in the opposite direction to
the blood flow. Gibo-Rothon (J Neurosurg 55:560–574, 1981) follow the blood flow, incorporated the cervical and petrous
portions, and divided the subarachnoid course—supraclinoid—in ophthalmic, communicating, and choroidal segments,
enhancing transcranial microscopic approaches. Bouthillier (Neurosurgery 38:425–433, 1996) divided the petrous portion
describing the lacerum segment (exposed in transfacial procedures and exploration of Meckel’s cave) and added the clinoid
segment between the proximal and distal dural rings, of interest in cavernous sinus surgery. The Kassam’s group (2014),
with an endoscopic endonasal perspective, introduces the Bparaclival segment,^ including the Blacerum segment^ and part
of the intracavernous ICA, and details surgical landmarks to minimize the risk of injury. Other classifications are also
analyzed. This review through an interactive 3D tool provides virtual views of the ICA and becomes an innovative
perspective to the segment classifications and neuroanatomy of the ICA and surrounding structures.
