Anterior choroidal artery

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Anterior choroidal artery
Circle of Willis en.svg
Diagram of the arterial circulation at the base of the brain (inferior view). The anterior choroidal artery is labeled at right of the circle of Willis.
Details
Source Internal carotid artery
Identifiers
Latin arteria choroidea anterior
TA98 A12.2.06.019
TA2 4501
FMA 50087
Anatomical terminology

The anterior choroidal artery is a bilaterally paired artery of the brain. It is typically a branch of the internal carotid artery which supplies the choroid plexus of lateral ventricle and third ventricle as well as numerous structures of the brain.

Contents

Occlusion of the artery can result in loss of sensation, loss of part of the visual field, and impaired movement, all on the opposite side of the body as the occlusion.

Structure

Origin

The anterior choroidal artery typically originates from the internal carotid artery. It may (rarely) instead arise from the middle cerebral artery. [1]

It originates from the distal internal carotid artery (ICA) 5 mm distal to the origin of the posterior communicating artery and just proximal to the terminal bifurcation of the ICA. [2]

Course

It passes inferior to the optic tract. It enters the lateral ventricle at the apex of its inferior horn, at the inferior extremity of choroid fissure, just superior to the uncus. [3]

Distribution

It serves structures in the prosencephalon, diencephalon, and mesencephalon: [2]

Clinical significance

Occlusion of the artery results in contralateral hemianopsia (partial loss of vision) and hemianaesthesia (loss of sensation), as well as partial hemiplegia (loss of the ability to move). [3] These symptoms are thought to arise from ischemic damage to the posterior limb of the internal capsule, thalamus, and optic chiasm/optic tract. However, the posterior limb of the internal capsule also receives lenticulostriate arteries from the middle cerebral artery, thus creating partially redundant supply. [4]

See also

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Internal capsule</span> White matter structure situated in the inferomedial part of each cerebral hemisphere of the brain

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chiasmal syndrome</span> Set of signs and symptoms that are associated with lesions of the optic chiasm

Chiasmal syndrome is the set of signs and symptoms that are associated with lesions of the optic chiasm, manifesting as various impairments of the affected's visual field according to the location of the lesion along the optic nerve. Pituitary adenomas are the most common cause; however, chiasmal syndrome may be caused by cancer, or associated with other medical conditions such as multiple sclerosis and neurofibromatosis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Outline of human anatomy</span> Overview of and topical guide to human anatomy

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References

  1. Thomas Lathrop Stedman (2006). Stedman's medical dictionary. [electronic resource]. Internet Archive. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ISBN   978-0-683-40007-6.
  2. 1 2 Ropper, Maurice Victor, Allan H. (2001). Adams and Victor's principles of neurology (7th ed.). New York: Medical Pub. Division, McGraw-Hill. ISBN   0-07-067497-3.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. 1 2 Sinnatamby, Chummy S. (2011). Last's Anatomy (12th ed.). p. 473. ISBN   978-0-7295-3752-0.
  4. Helgason, C; Caplan, LR (1986). "Anterior choroidal artery-territory infarction: Report of cases and review". Arch. Neurol. 43 (7): 681–686. doi:10.1001/archneur.1986.00520070039015. PMID   3729746.