The posterior limb of the internal capsule in a young adult with a hypertensive capsular hemorrhage is most characteristically supplied by which arteries?

• A Medial striate artery of Heubner
• B Perforating branches of the anterior communicating artery
• C Lateral lenticulostriate branches of the middle cerebral artery ✓
• D Thalamoperforating branches of the posterior cerebral artery

Explanation

The posterior limb and genu of the internal capsule are supplied mainly by the lateral lenticulostriate branches arising at right angles from the proximal middle cerebral artery, supplemented by the anterior choroidal artery. Their straight course off the M1 segment makes them prone to Charcot-Bouchard microaneurysm formation in hypertension, explaining classic capsular lacunes causing dense contralateral hemiplegia. Heubner's recurrent artery and medial striate branches supply the anterior limb and caudate head, while thalamoperforators supply the thalamus, not the capsule proper.

Reference: Gray's Anatomy, 42nd ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.