Vessel
Lenticulostriate arteries
Penetrating vessels with variable deep cerebral territories
High-yield
Deep perforator disease can cause lacunar infarction or intracerebral hemorrhage. An occlusion does not always produce a small lacune: a larger trunk may supply a substantial ganglionic-capsular territory.
Overview
These small striate vessels enter the brain through the anterior perforated substance. The lateral group usually comes from the MCA trunk or nearby branches; medial striate vessels also arise from ACA. They supply parts of the basal ganglia and internal capsule. Individual territories and common trunks vary, while effective collateral flow is generally limited.
Reference facts
- Origin
- Mainly MCA M1, bifurcation and proximal branch origins for lateral LSAs. ACA supplies medial striate vessels, including Heubner's artery; terminology varies among classification schemes.
- Course
- Penetrate the anterior perforated substance and ascend into deep tissue. Limited effective collateral supply makes their territories vulnerable to ischemia.
- Branches
- Multiple small penetrating arteries, sometimes sharing a common stem. Medial/intermediate/lateral group names may describe different classification systems.
- Supplies
- Variable portions of caudate, putamen, pallidum, internal capsule and adjacent deep white matter; the entire posterior capsule is not one uniform LSA territory.
Clinical correlation
A small infarct involving motor fibers can produce opposite-sided pure motor weakness without the usual cortical language or attention signs. Other perforator territories produce different deficits. Hypertension contributes to small-vessel injury, but symptoms alone do not establish the cause or exact artery.
Frequently asked questions
Where do the lenticulostriate arteries originate?
Mainly MCA M1, bifurcation and proximal branch origins for lateral LSAs. ACA supplies medial striate vessels, including Heubner's artery; terminology varies among classification schemes.
What do the lenticulostriate arteries supply?
Variable portions of caudate, putamen, pallidum, internal capsule and adjacent deep white matter; the entire posterior capsule is not one uniform LSA territory.
What are the branches of the lenticulostriate arteries?
Multiple small penetrating arteries, sometimes sharing a common stem. Medial/intermediate/lateral group names may describe different classification systems.
What is the course of the lenticulostriate arteries?
Penetrate the anterior perforated substance and ascend into deep tissue. Limited effective collateral supply makes their territories vulnerable to ischemia.