Microanatomical study of the posterior medial choroidal artery

Abstract

Introduction/Objective. The aim of this study was a detailed examination of microanatomy of the medial posterior choroidal artery (MPChA). Methods. The microanatomical characteristics of the MPChA were studied in 30 formalin fixed brain hemispheres using ? 6.3 to ? 10 magnification of the stereoscopic microscope. The arteries were injected with the mixture of 10% India ink and gelatin. The second group of 10 hemispheres consisted of specimens injected with methylmethacrylate fluid into the cerebral arterial vessels, for the preparation of corrosion casts. Results. The MPChA was present in all 30 hemispheres, always as the single artery. The MPChA were divided into proximal and distal types of vessels. We distinguished two segments of the MPChA: a cisternal and plexal. Proximal MPChA was present in 53.3% of cases, with the caliber of 0.6-1.0 mm (mean 0.8 mm). ?he point of its origin from the posterior cerebral artery was always before the origin of the first temporal cortical branch. Distal MPChA existed in 46.7% of cases, with the diameter of 0.4-1.0 (mean 0.74 mm). The cisternal segment the most frequently gave of the origin of fine branches to the cerebral crus, medial geniculate body and thalamus. The plexal segment gave rise arteries to the thalamus, and choroid branches for the supply of the choroid plexus of the third ventricle. Anastomoses in the region of the MPChA were found in all of 20 examined brains, most often among the plexal branches. Conclusion. The results describing the microanatomical characteristics of the MPChA may have diagnostic and microsurgical significance.