Branching Pattern of Middle Cerebral Artery

Middle cerebral artery is the largest of the terminal branches of the internal carotid artery. It lies in the cistern of stem of lateral sulcus/sylvian fissure accompanied by superficial middle cerebral vein in the inferior surface of cerebrum. Then it comes to the lateral sulcus and divides into superior and inferior division which come to the posterior ramus of the lateral sulcus of the cerebrum. The proximal middle cerebral artery (M1 segment) give rise to the perforating Branches (Termed Lenticulo striate arteries) that supplies the putamen, outer Globus pallidum, posterior limb of internal capsule above the plane of upper border of Globus Pallidum, the adjacent corpora Radiata and the body of upper and lateral head of caudate nucleus in the sylvian fissure. The middle cerebral artery is mostly divides in to superior and inferior division. Superior division gives rise to lateral orbito frontal which supplies the Pre frontal cortex. The pre Rolandic branch which supplies the middle and posterior parts of superior, middle and inferior Frontal Gyrus. Frontal eye field area and Brocas area. A Rolandic branch which supplies the pre central and post central Gyrus except the leg area and Brocas area. Anterior parietal which distributes to the parietal association cortex and above the supra marginal Gyrus. Inferior division supplies the two third of individuals. Superior division that supplies region above the angular Gyrus.