A patient has a lesion confined to the posterior limb of the internal capsule on the right side. Which combination of deficits is expected?

• A Left hemiplegia, left hemisensory loss, left homonymous hemianopia ✓
• B Right hemiplegia, right hemisensory loss, left homonymous hemianopia
• C Left lower motor neuron facial palsy and left hemiplegia
• D Left hemiplegia with preserved sensation and vision

Explanation

The posterior limb of the internal capsule on the right side contains: corticospinal fibres (causing contralateral — left — hemiplegia), thalamocortical sensory radiations (left hemisensory loss), and the optic radiation in its retrolenticular part (left homonymous hemianopia). Right posterior limb damage thus causes all three contralaterally on the left. Option B incorrectly assigns ipsilateral deficits; option C describes a brainstem pattern.

Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.