Middle cerebral artery

The middle cerebral artery is a major paired artery of the brain and the largest arterial vessel supplying the cerebral hemisphere. It supplies mainly the lateral surface of the cerebral hemisphere as well as several deep cerebral structures.

• Origin: Initial part of the rostral cerebral artery.

• Course / Relations: The middle cerebral artery courses laterally from the base of the brain, passes dorsal to the optic tract and curves around the rostral part of the piriform lobe. It then reaches the lateral olfactory sulcus and courses toward the Sylvian fissure, where its branches spread over the lateral surface of the cerebral hemisphere.

• Termination / Branches / Anastomoses: It gives rise to central branches, including striatal branches, and numerous cortical branches supplying the frontal, parietal and temporal regions of the cerebral hemisphere. Its terminal cortical branches anastomose with branches of the rostral and caudal cerebral arteries.

The middle cerebral artery arises from the initial part of the rostral cerebral artery and courses laterally over the ventral aspect of the cerebral hemisphere. It passes dorsal to the optic tract, curves around the piriform lobe and reaches the Sylvian fissure. It then gives rise to numerous central and cortical branches. These branches supply deep cerebral structures and most of the lateral cerebral cortex, particularly the frontal, parietal and temporal regions.