25/01/2026
Understanding Stroke Syndromes and Their Arterial Territories
This detailed illustration maps the brain's blood supply, showing how different arteries nourish specific regions and how blockages can cause distinct stroke syndromes.
(ICA):
A blockage here can cause fluctuating weakness sensory loss, and altered consciousness.
(ACA):
Supplies the medial frontal and parietal lobes infarction may lead to leg predominant weakness and behavioural changes.
(MCA):
divided into M1 and M2 segments:
M1 occlusion: Severe hemiplegia, eye deviation and global aphasia (if left-sided).
M2 divisions: Superior affects speech (Broca's aphasia); inferior causes visual field cuts and sensory deficits.
:
Supply deep brain structures like the basal ganglia damage leads to abulia (lack of willpower) or hemiparesis.
(PCA):
Needs the occipital lobe strokes cause visual field loss, ataxia, or memory issues.
:
Basilar artery & perforators: Can cause "Locked in syndrome" (a rare neurological condition where a person is fully conscious and aware but completely paralyzed, unable to speak or move, except for vertical eye movements and blinking, typically caused by brainstem damage), ataxia or coma.
(PICA):
Linked to Wallenberg syndrome dizziness, hoarseness, and ataxia.
