Anterior limb of internal capsule

The anterior limb of internal capsule is the portion of the internal capsule lying anterior to the genu. It is situated between the head of the caudate nucleus medially and the lentiform nucleus, laterally. Superiorly, its fibres spread into the frontal part of the corona radiata.

Fibre components of anterior limb of internal capsule

Its principal fibre components include:

• Anterior thalamic radiation – fibres connecting the anterior and medial thalamic nuclei with the frontal/prefrontal and cingulate cortex. These connections contribute broadly to cognition, executive function, emotion, motivation, and behaviour.

• Frontopontine fibres – descending fibres from the frontal cortex to the pontine nuclei, contributing to corticopontocerebellar pathways.

• Caudatoputaminal fibres – transverse fibres passing between the caudate nucleus and putamen across the anterior limb.

Blood supply

The anterior limb of internal capsule is supplied mainly by deep perforating vessels associated with the anterior and middle cerebral arterial circulations, particularly the recurrent artery of Heubner and lenticulostriate arteries, although their territories vary.