Which artery is NOT typically associated with the anterior circulation of the brain?

The vertebral artery is not typically associated with the anterior circulation of the brain. Instead, it plays a crucial role in the posterior circulation, which primarily supplies the brainstem, cerebellum, and the posterior parts of the brain. The anterior circulation is primarily comprised of the internal carotid artery, which bifurcates into the anterior cerebral artery and the middle cerebral artery. These arteries collectively supply the majority of the cerebral hemispheres, particularly the frontal, parietal, and parts of the temporal lobes.

In contrast, the vertebral arteries, which arise from the subclavian arteries and ascend through the cervical spine, join to form the basilar artery. This structure is essential for providing blood to the posterior aspects of the brain, differentiating it distinctly from the arteries that make up the anterior circulation. Thus, associating the vertebral artery with the anterior circulation would be incorrect.