Acronym

MCA - Middle Cerebral Artery

Middle Cerebral Artery

Major cerebral artery supplying lateral brain; most common site for stroke

Expansion

Middle Cerebral Artery

Purpose

Assess for occlusion (acute stroke), stenosis, dissection, aneurysm

Clinical Context

Middle cerebral artery arises from internal carotid artery. Largest cerebral artery; most common stroke location. Acute middle cerebral artery occlusion eligible for thrombectomy if within time window.

  • Anterior cerebral artery
  • Posterior cerebral artery

Key Points

  • Middle cerebral artery most common stroke location (50 percent of ischaemic strokes); thrombectomy candidate if acute proximal occlusion