Media cerebral artery
The arteria cerebri media ( lat. Middle cerebral artery ) is one of the three main arterial vessels of the brain . It is the sideways branch of the internal carotid artery and thus part of the arterial vascular ring at the base of the brain ( Circulus arteriosus cerebri ). In its course, it gives off several small branches, with the help of which parts of the cerebrum are supplied with oxygen and other nutrients.
Segments
In the middle cerebral artery (MCA), four segments M1-M4 are distinguished:
- M1: The sphenoid segment extends from the outlet to the first major branch. The arteriae centrales anterolaterales arise from it downwards and inwards (ventromedial) and upwards and outwards (dorsolaterally) the uncalis artery , the temporopolar artery and the anterior temporalis artery .
- M2: It consists of a superior trunk and an inferior trunk and extends in the island region ( island segment).
- M3: The course along the operculum .
- M4: The terminal segment are on the cerebral cortex ( cortical visible) terminal branches.
Coverage area
The arteria cerebri media is the largest brain supplying vessel and mainly supplies the lateral surfaces of the frontal , parietal and temporal lobes . Furthermore, important switching centers in the diencephalon such as parts of the thalamus , the neighboring basal ganglia as well as the internal capsule and the insular cortex also fall under their supply area .
Diseases
Strokes more often affect the supply area of the arteria cerebri media (media infarction ) than that of the other cerebral arteries. They usually express themselves with facial and arm-accentuated hemiplegia and spasticity of the opposite half of the body as well as sensory disturbances in the corresponding body areas. Visual field disorders , speech disorders , neglect and apraxia are also common.
As a rare malformation, the media cerebral artery can transform itself into a multitude of small vessels. This disease occurs mainly in the Japanese and is called moyamoya .
literature
- Alexander Hartmann, Wolf-Dieter Heiss: The stroke. Pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnosis and therapy of acute cerebrovascular diseases. Steinkopff, Darmstadt 2001, ISBN 3-7985-1211-6 , pp. 6-8.
- Hans Schild (Ed.): Angiography. 2nd, completely revised and expanded edition. Georg Thieme, Stuttgart et al. 2003, ISBN 3-13-127802-1 , p. 53.
