Vessel
Anterior cerebral artery
Medial hemispheric and deep perforator supply
High-yield
A cortical ACA stroke often affects the opposite leg more than the arm because medial sensorimotor cortex contains major lower-limb representations. Deep ACA perforator injury can produce a different pattern.
Overview
The ACA leaves the internal-carotid termination and approaches the opposite ACA through the anterior communicating connection. Distal vessels ascend between the hemispheres and follow the corpus callosum. Pericallosal branches lie near the callosal surface; a callosomarginal trunk, when present, follows the cingulate region. Cortical and deep branches serve different territories.
Reference facts
- Origin
- One of the terminal divisions of the internal carotid artery.
- Course
- A1 usually crosses above the optic nerve toward ACom. Distal segments enter the longitudinal fissure, turn around the callosal genu and continue posteriorly.
- Branches
- Medial perforators, including the recurrent artery of Heubner; orbitofrontal, frontopolar, pericallosal and callosomarginal branches. Their origins and arrangement vary.
- Supplies
- Much medial frontal/parietal cortex, including paracentral lobule, and most of the corpus callosum anterior to the splenium. Perforators supply parts of anterior basal ganglia and internal capsule.
Clinical correlation
ACA infarction may combine leg-predominant weakness with reduced initiative, sensory loss or language difficulty. Heubner-artery infarction can involve the caudate and anterior internal-capsular region, sometimes producing face/arm weakness. Neither pattern is obligatory.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the anterior cerebral artery originate?
The anterior cerebral artery arises from the one of the terminal divisions of the internal carotid artery.
What does the anterior cerebral artery supply?
Much medial frontal/parietal cortex, including paracentral lobule, and most of the corpus callosum anterior to the splenium. Perforators supply parts of anterior basal ganglia and internal capsule.
What are the branches of the anterior cerebral artery?
Medial perforators, including the recurrent artery of Heubner; orbitofrontal, frontopolar, pericallosal and callosomarginal branches. Their origins and arrangement vary.
What is the course of the anterior cerebral artery?
A1 usually crosses above the optic nerve toward ACom. Distal segments enter the longitudinal fissure, turn around the callosal genu and continue posteriorly.