Network of arteries that provide blood supply to the brain
Major arteries
Anterior cerebral artery (ACA)
Supplies frontal, pre-frontal, and supplementary motor cortex as well as circulation to primary motor and sensory cortex
Injury to the ACA can cause hemiparesis with weakness of lower extremity > upper extremity with sparing of face, apraxia, abulia, akinetic mutism, urinary incontience
Anterior communicating artery
Blood supply that connect the left and right ACA
Injury to anterior communicating artery can cause visual disturbances, memory deficits, cognitive impairment, severe headache, altered mental status, and impaired executive function
Middle cerebral artery
Blood supply to the frontal, temporal, parietal, and deeper structures
Injury to the middle cerebral artery can cause hemiparesis with weakness of upper extremity >lower extremity; innervates both Broca’s area and Wernicke’s area, neglect
Internal carotid artery
Provides oxygenation to the brain
Injury can lead to blurred vision, confusion, memory loss, hemiparesis, or sudden death
Posterior cerebral artery
Supplies blood to occipital and temporal lobes
Injury can cause visual field loss, visual impairment, headache, confusion, and memory impairments
Posterior communicating artery
Connects the internal carotid artery to the posterior cerebral artery
Injury can cause vi field loss, ptosis, diplopia, headache, confusion, memory impairment, hemiparesis
Supplies blood flow to the medulla, fourth ventricle, and cerebellum
Injury can cause diplopia, ptosis, facial pain, vertigo, slurred speech, hoarseness, balance deficits, sensory deficits on same side face and contralateral body
