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CEREBROVASCULAR SUPPLY
1. INTRODUCTION
The brain receives approximately 15-20% of cardiac output (about 750 mL/min) despite constituting only ~2% of body weight. It has virtually no energy reserves, making an uninterrupted blood supply essential - neuronal death begins within minutes of ischemia. The cerebral circulation is divided into two main systems: the anterior (carotid) circulation and the posterior (vertebrobasilar) circulation, which meet at the base of the brain to form the Circle of Willis.
2. ARTERIAL SUPPLY - OVERVIEW
The brain is supplied by four major arteries:
- Right and left Internal Carotid Arteries (ICA) - anterior circulation
- Right and left Vertebral Arteries - posterior circulation
Circle of Willis and main branches - inferior/basal view of the brain (Neuroanatomy through Clinical Cases, 3e)
3. ANTERIOR CIRCULATION - INTERNAL CAROTID SYSTEM
3.1 Course of the Internal Carotid Artery
The ICA arises from the common carotid artery at the carotid bifurcation (typically at C4 level). It has four named segments:
| Segment | Location |
|---|
| Cervical | Vertical ascent in the neck - no branches |
| Petrous | Enters carotid canal of temporal bone - horizontal course |
| Cavernous | S-shaped "carotid siphon" within the cavernous sinus |
| Supraclinoid (intracranial) | Pierces dura, enters subarachnoid space - gives main branches |
3.2 Branches of the Supraclinoid ICA
Remembered by the mnemonic: OPAAM
| Letter | Artery |
|---|
| O | Ophthalmic artery |
| P | Posterior communicating artery (PComm) |
| A | Anterior choroidal artery |
| A | Anterior cerebral artery (ACA) |
| M | Middle cerebral artery (MCA) |
Ophthalmic artery: Enters the optic foramen with the optic nerve; supplies the retina. This is why ICA disease can cause amaurosis fugax (transient monocular blindness).
Posterior communicating artery (PComm): Links the ICA to the posterior cerebral artery, joining anterior and posterior circulations.
Anterior choroidal artery: Supplies the globus pallidus, putamen, part of the thalamus (including the lateral geniculate nucleus), and the posterior limb of the internal capsule (containing corticospinal and corticobulbar tracts). Its occlusion causes contralateral hemiparesis, hemisensory loss, and hemianopia.
4. THE CIRCLE OF WILLIS
The Circle of Willis is an anastomotic ring at the base of the brain, formed by:
- Anteriorly: Two ACAs connected by the Anterior Communicating Artery (AComm)
- Laterally: Two ICAs
- Posteriorly: Two PCAs arising from the tip of the basilar artery
- Linking anterior to posterior: Two Posterior Communicating Arteries (PComm)
A complete, full-caliber Circle of Willis is present in only approximately 34% of individuals - anatomical variants are common.
Function of the Circle: Under normal conditions, blood from anterior and posterior circulations does not mix (pressures are equal). In pathological states (arterial occlusion), it acts as an anteroposterior or side-to-side collateral shunt, redistributing blood to ischemic regions.
5. THE THREE MAIN CEREBRAL ARTERIES AND THEIR TERRITORIES
Vascular territories of ACA, MCA, and PCA - (A) Lateral (B) Medial (C) Inferior views (Neuroanatomy through Clinical Cases, 3e)
5.1 Anterior Cerebral Artery (ACA)
Origin: Terminal branch of ICA; the two ACAs are joined anteriorly by the AComm.
Course: Runs anteriorly and medially, then curves up and over the corpus callosum in the interhemispheric fissure.
Territory - Superficial (cortical):
- Medial surface of the frontal and parietal lobes
- The leg and foot area of the motor and sensory cortex (in the interhemispheric fissure)
Territory - Deep:
- Recurrent artery of Heubner (off A1 segment): head of the caudate nucleus, anterior putamen, globus pallidus, anterior limb of internal capsule
ACA occlusion deficits:
- Contralateral leg/foot weakness and sensory loss (leg area of motor strip is in interhemispheric fissure)
- Relatively spared arm and face
- Urinary incontinence (medial frontal lobe)
- Abulia (frontal lobe involvement)
5.2 Middle Cerebral Artery (MCA)
Origin: Larger terminal branch of the ICA; most commonly affected in stroke.
Course: Turns laterally into the Sylvian fissure (lateral sulcus), usually bifurcates into:
- Superior division - supplies cortex above the Sylvian fissure (lateral frontal lobe, peri-Rolandic cortex)
- Inferior division - supplies cortex below the Sylvian fissure (lateral temporal lobe, variable parietal lobe)
Territory - Superficial: Most of the dorsolateral convexity of the cerebral hemisphere - the face and arm areas of motor/sensory cortex, Broca's area (dominant inferior frontal gyrus), Wernicke's area (dominant superior temporal gyrus), parietal association cortex.
Territory - Deep (Lenticulostriate arteries): Small penetrating vessels arising from the proximal MCA before it enters the Sylvian fissure, penetrating the anterior perforated substance to supply:
- Basal ganglia (caudate, putamen, globus pallidus)
- Posterior limb of internal capsule
These vessels are particularly prone to lacunar infarction and hypertensive hemorrhage.
MCA occlusion deficits (left side - dominant hemisphere):
| Region | Deficit |
|---|
| Superior division | Contralateral face + arm weakness and sensory loss; Broca's aphasia (nonfluent) |
| Inferior division | Wernicke's aphasia (fluent); superior quadrantanopia |
| Deep territory | Contralateral hemiparesis (face + arm + leg) - internal capsule |
| Complete MCA (stem) | All of the above; dense contralateral hemiplegia, hemisensory loss, hemianopia, aphasia (dominant) or hemineglect (non-dominant) |
5.3 Posterior Cerebral Artery (PCA)
Origin: Arises from the tip of the basilar artery (posterior circulation). In fetal variant (~20-30% of people), it may arise directly from the ICA ("fetal PCA").
Course: Curves posteriorly and inferiorly around the midbrain, sending branches over the inferior and medial temporal lobes and the medial occipital cortex.
Territory - Superficial:
- Inferior and medial temporal lobes (including hippocampus)
- Medial occipital cortex (primary visual cortex along the calcarine fissure)
Territory - Deep:
- Thalamoperforator arteries (from proximal PCA): thalamus, posterior limb of internal capsule
- Thalamogeniculate arteries: thalamus
- Posterior choroidal arteries: thalamus and choroid plexus
PCA occlusion deficits:
- Contralateral homonymous hemianopia (most common) - with macular sparing (dual supply from MCA)
- Memory impairment (if hippocampus involved)
- Visual agnosia, alexia without agraphia (dominant PCA)
- Contralateral hemisensory loss (if thalamus involved)
6. POSTERIOR CIRCULATION - VERTEBROBASILAR SYSTEM
6.1 Vertebral Arteries
- Arise from the subclavian arteries bilaterally
- Ascend through the foramina transversaria of cervical vertebrae C1-C6
- Enter the skull via the foramen magnum
- Unite at the pontomedullary junction to form the basilar artery
Main branches of the vertebral arteries:
- Posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA): Supplies the lateral medulla and inferior cerebellum. Occlusion = Lateral Medullary (Wallenberg) Syndrome.
- Anterior spinal artery: Formed by contributions from both vertebral arteries; supplies the anterior two-thirds of the spinal cord.
- Posterior spinal arteries
6.2 Basilar Artery
Runs along the ventral surface of the pons in the basilar sulcus.
Branches:
| Branch | Territory |
|---|
| Anterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery (AICA) | Inferior cerebellum, lateral lower pons, inner ear (via labyrinthine artery) |
| Pontine perforators | Pons (multiple small branches) |
| Superior Cerebellar Artery (SCA) | Superior cerebellum, upper pons, midbrain |
| Posterior Cerebral Arteries (PCA) | Terminal branches; occipital lobes, medial temporal lobes, thalamus |
"Top of the basilar" syndrome: Occlusion of the rostral basilar artery causes bilateral PCA + SCA territory infarction with severe visual disturbances, altered consciousness, and oculomotor deficits.
7. DEEP CEREBRAL STRUCTURES - PENETRATING VESSELS SUMMARY
| Artery | Deep Structures Supplied |
|---|
| Lenticulostriate aa. (from MCA) | Caudate, putamen, globus pallidus, posterior limb of internal capsule |
| Anterior choroidal a. (from ICA) | Globus pallidus, putamen, thalamus (part), posterior limb of internal capsule, lateral geniculate |
| Recurrent artery of Heubner (from ACA) | Head of caudate, anterior putamen, globus pallidus, anterior limb of internal capsule |
| Thalamoperforator aa. (from PCA) | Thalamus, posterior limb of internal capsule |
8. CEREBRAL VENOUS DRAINAGE
The brain is drained by a system of veins that empty into dural venous sinuses, ultimately draining into the internal jugular veins.
Cerebral venous drainage showing major dural sinuses (Miller's Anesthesia, 10e)
8.1 Cerebral Veins
- Superficial cortical veins: Within the pia mater on the brain surface; drain the cortex
- Deep cortical veins: Drain deep structures; join to form the internal cerebral veins and the vein of Galen (great cerebral vein)
8.2 Dural Venous Sinuses
| Sinus | Location / Drainage |
|---|
| Superior sagittal sinus | Along the superior border of the falx cerebri; drains most of the cerebral cortex |
| Inferior sagittal sinus | Along the inferior free edge of the falx |
| Straight sinus | Junction of falx and tentorium; receives the vein of Galen |
| Sinus confluence (torcular Herophili) | Where the superior sagittal, straight, and occipital sinuses meet |
| Transverse sinuses | Run laterally from the confluence along the occipital bone |
| Sigmoid sinuses | S-shaped continuation of the transverse sinuses; drain into the internal jugular veins |
| Cavernous sinuses | On either side of the sella turcica; receive the ophthalmic veins; important relations to CN III, IV, V1, V2, VI, and the ICA |
| Petrosal sinuses | Superior and inferior; connect cavernous sinus to transverse/sigmoid sinuses |
Clinical note: Dural venous sinus thrombosis (most commonly the superior sagittal sinus) presents with headache, seizures, focal deficits, and raised intracranial pressure. It is a recognized cause of stroke in young women, particularly those on oral contraceptives.
9. SUMMARY - FUNCTIONAL MAP
| Artery | Main Cortical Territory | Deep Territory | Key Deficit if Occluded |
|---|
| ACA | Medial frontal + parietal (leg area) | Caudate, ant. capsule (via Heubner) | Contralateral leg weakness |
| MCA | Lateral convexity (face + arm area, language, parietal) | Basal ganglia, post. capsule (via lenticulostriates) | Contralateral face + arm weakness; aphasia (dominant) or neglect (non-dominant) |
| PCA | Medial temporal + occipital (visual cortex) | Thalamus (via thalamoperforators) | Contralateral hemianopia; memory loss |
| PICA | Lateral medulla + inferior cerebellum | - | Wallenberg syndrome |
| AICA | Lateral lower pons + inferior cerebellum | - | Lateral pontine syndrome; ipsilateral deafness |
| SCA | Superior cerebellum + upper pons | - | Ipsilateral cerebellar ataxia |
Sources: Neuroanatomy through Clinical Cases, 3rd Edition; Miller's Anesthesia, 10th Edition; Gray's Anatomy for Students; Barash Clinical Anesthesia, 9th Edition