PCA anatomy

2007/6/25 Monday morning 6am

P1 segment— precommunal PCA
Paramedian mesencephalic arteries (PMA)
Thalamoperfortating arteries (TPA)—supply diencephalon and midbrain
Medial posterior choroidal arteries [may be braches of P2 segment]

P2 segment—postcommunal PCA; ambient cistern
Medial posterior choroidal arteries (MPChAs)
Origin: proximal P2 segment
Course: run medially around midbrain and forward along roof of third ventricle
Supply colliculi, posterior thalamus, pineal gland, and part of midbrain
Angiography: 3 configuration on lateral view
Lateral posterior choroidal arteries (LPChAs)
Origin: from either PCA or its cortical branches
Course: pass into choroids plexus of lateral ventricle, run over pulvinar of thalamus
Supply: MPChAs and LPChAs anastomose with each other and anterior choroids arteries (with which they have reciprocal relationship); variable areas of supply
Angiography: on lateral view, LPChAs behind and above MPChAs.

3. Peduncular perfortating arteries (PPA)
4. Thalamogeniculate arteries (TGA)
5. Medial posterior choroidal arteries

P3 segment—along the dorsal part of midbrain; quadrigeminal cistern
Lateral posterior choroidal arteries
Temporal branches: Anterior and posterior temporal arteries
parietooccipital arteries with calcarine artery

Ref. handbook of neuroradiology; 當代神經學 p162-163