Anterior Cerebral Artery

1. Anatomy:
– The ACA is one of the terminal branches of the internal carotid artery.
– It runs rostrally and medially along the longitudinal cerebral fissure.
– The ACA anastomoses with its contralateral counterpart via the anterior communicating artery.
– Its course is divided into five segments (A1-A5):
– Precommunicating segment (A1): Between the internal carotid bifurcation and the anterior communicating artery.
– Genu segment (A2): Around the genu of the corpus callosum.
– Callosomarginal segment (A3): Along the length of the corpus callosum.
– Pericallosal segment (A4): Around the splenium of the corpus callosum.
– Posterior segment (A5): Terminal branches anastomose with those of the middle and posterior cerebral arteries.

2. Function and Clinical Implications:
– The ACA supplies blood to:
– Frontal cortex
– Parietal cortex
– Cingulate cortex
– Corpus callosum

Symptoms of ACA stroke may include:
– Contralateral leg weakness and sensory loss
– Cognitive, behavioral, and emotional changes
– Difficulty speaking or understanding speech
– Vision alterations
– Loss of balance or coordination.

References:
(1) Anterior cerebral artery: Anatomy, branches, supply | Kenhub. https://www.kenhub.com/en/library/anatomy/anterior-cerebral-artery.
(2) Anterior Cerebral Artery Anatomy, Function & Diagram | Body Maps. https://www.healthline.com/human-body-maps/anterior-cerebral-artery/male.
(3) Anterior Cerebral Artery Stroke: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment. https://www.dovemed.com/health-topics/focused-health-topics/anterior-cerebral-artery-stroke-causes-symptoms-and-treatment.
(4) Anterior cerebral artery stroke syndromes | MedLink Neurology. https://www.medlink.com/articles/anterior-cerebral-artery-stroke-syndromes.
(5) en.wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anterior_cerebral_artery.