Nervous system: Blood supply to the brain

Question 1

Blockage of which vessels results in a lacunar stroke?

Answer 1

The lenticulostriate arteries which brain off the middle cerebral artery through the lenticulate nucleus and the striatum

Question 2

Why are lacunar strokes so common?

Answer 2

The lenticulostriate arteries are tiny so are easily blocked

Question 3

Why are lacunar strokes so variable in their clinical signs?

Answer 3

The lenticulostriate arteries supply a very interesting part of the brain:

• if there is a stroke in the internal capsule it will be a purely motor stroke
• a stroke in the thalamus would be purely sensory
• a stroke in the basal ganglia could lead to parkinsonian symptoms