[Cerebral deep vascular architectures and subcortical infarcts]

Area of Science:

• Neuroanatomy
• Cerebrovascular Anatomy
• Neuroimaging

Background:

• The basal ganglia and internal capsule are critical structures supplied by deep perforating arteries.
• Accurate delineation of vascular territories is essential for understanding stroke mechanisms and localization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the specific territories supplied by the lenticulostriate arteries (LSA), anterior cerebral artery (ACA) perforators, and anterior choroidal artery (AChA).
• To clarify the anatomical basis for infarct localization in deep brain structures and white matter.

Main Methods:

• Detailed anatomical description based on existing literature and neuroimaging principles.
• Correlation of arterial supply with specific brain regions including the caudate nucleus, putamen, globus pallidus, internal capsule, and corona radiata.

Main Results:

• Lenticulostriate arteries (LSA) supply the lateral basal ganglia and anterior internal capsule.
• Anterior cerebral artery (ACA) perforators, notably Heubner's artery, perfuse the inferomedial basal ganglia and anterior internal capsule.
• Anterior choroidal artery (AChA) superior branches supply the posterior internal capsule and thalamus.
• Medullary arteries from the middle cerebral artery (MCA) supply the deep white matter, with occlusions leading to centrum-semiovale infarcts.

Conclusions:

• The study provides a comprehensive overview of the vascular supply to the basal ganglia, internal capsule, and adjacent white matter.
• Understanding these detailed vascular territories aids in the interpretation of neuroimaging findings, particularly in cases of ischemic stroke.