UMEM Educational Pearls

Title: Acute MCA Infarcts

Category: Neurology

Keywords: infarct, stroke, MCA (PubMed Search)

Posted: 9/20/2007 by Aisha Liferidge, MD (Updated: 11/23/2024)
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The majority of large cerebral artery infarcts take place in the Middle Cerebral Artery (MCA) because it supplies the largest territory. The MCA supplies most of the temperol, anterolateral frontal lobe, and parietal lobes. Perforating branches supply the posterior limb of the internal capsule and the head and body of the caudate and globus pallidus. Clinical findings can include: ipsilateral facial, upper, and lower extremity deficit/weakness (arm > leg); dysarthria; dysphagia; global aphasia if lesion on left (i.e. dominant hemisphere); neglect.