Middle Cerebral Artery

Question 1

Origin

Answer 1

1. Anterior perforated substance as larger of terminal branches of ICA
2. More in direct continuation with ICA (therefore, small emboli which pass through ICA go more frequently to MCA than to ACA)

Question 2

Course

Answer 2

1. Runs laterally in lateral fissure stem
2. Reaches hemisphere lateral surface
3. Continues backwards in lateral fissure posterior ramus
4. Cross over insula

Question 3

End

Answer 3

By breaking up into many terminal cortical branches which emerge from in between lips of lateral fissure posterior ramus to appear on hemispheres lateral surface

Question 4

Branches

Answer 4

1. Cortical branches
2. Central (striate) branches
3. Cerebral haemorrhage artery (large branch)

Question 5

Cortical branches supply

Answer 5

1. Lateral 1/2 of hemisphere orbital surface
2. Temporal pole
3. Insula
4. Whole hemisphere lateral surface except:
   - Narrow strip (1 inch breadth) along hemispheres superior border back to parieto-occipital sulcus which is supplies by ACA
   - 2 occipital lobe lateral surface and narrow strip of temporal lobe along hemisphere inferior border, which are supplied by PCA

Question 6

Central branches

Answer 6

Penetrate anterior perforated substance to supply:
1. Corpus striatum
2. Internal capsule:
- Posterior part of anterior limb
- Genu
- Anterior part of posterior limb

Question 7

Cerebral hemorrhage artery

Answer 7

Frequently ruptures causing:
1. Hemorrhage inside cerebral hemisphere
2. Pressure on internal capsule motor fibers
= hemiplegia (paralysis of body muscles of opposite 1/2)

Question 8

Cerebral hemorrhage artery

Answer 8

Frequently ruptures causing:
1. Hemorrhage inside cerebral hemisphere
2. Pressure on internal capsule motor fibers
= hemiplegia (paralysis of body muscles of opposite 1/2)

Question 9

Clinical importance

Answer 9

MCA supplies the following important areas:
1. Motor and sensory areas for the whole body except lower limbs
2. Auditory area in superior temporal gyrus
3. Motor and sensory speech areas
4. Insula
5. Internal capsule