middle cerebral artery

Origin: internal carotid artery (terminal branch) Distribution: 1) sphenoidal part or segment (M1) -> perforating branches to: 1) internal capsule 2) thalamus 3) striatum 2) insular part or segment (M2)* -> branches to: 1) insula 2) adjacent cerebral cortex 3) terminal or cortical part (M2)* -> branches to the central cerebral cortex (large part) 4) gives off frontal, parietal & temporal branches 5) supplies sensorimotor string except for dorsal part for the lower extremities & auditory cortex * insular & cortical segments collectively referred to as M2 Course: 1) passes laterally around the pole of the temporal lobe 2) runs in lateral fissure between frontal & temporal lobes

Properties

FORM: middle cerebral artery ORIGIN: internal carotid artery (ICA)

References

Stedman's Medical Dictionary 27th ed, Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, 1999

Components

intima; tunica intima tunica media vascular endothelium