Middle cerebral artery
The middle cerebral artery (MCA) is one of the three major paired cerebral arteries that supply blood to the cerebrum. The MCA arises from the internal carotid artery and continues into the lateral sulcus where it then branches and projects to many parts of the lateral cerebral cortex. It also supplies blood to the anterior temporal lobes and the insular cortices.
| Middle cerebral artery | |
|---|---|
Outer surface of cerebral hemisphere, showing areas supplied by cerebral arteries. (Pink is region supplied by middle cerebral artery.) | |
The arterial circle and arteries of the brain (inferior view). The middle cerebral arteries (top of figure) arise from the internal carotid arteries. | |
| Details | |
| Source | internal carotid arteries |
| Branches | anterolateral central arteries |
| Vein | middle cerebral vein |
| Supplies | cerebrum |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | arteria cerebri media |
| MeSH | D020768 |
| TA98 | A12.2.07.046 |
| TA2 | 4509 |
| FMA | 50079 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
The left and right MCAs rise from trifurcations of the internal carotid arteries and thus are connected to the anterior cerebral arteries and the posterior communicating arteries, which connect to the posterior cerebral arteries. The MCAs are not considered a part of the Circle of Willis.
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