Distribution of the occipital branches of the posterior cerebral artery. Correlation with occipital lobe infarcts.

Abstract

The occipital branches of the posterior cerebral artery were examined in 31 human brains. The authors determined the origin, course, and region of supply of each occipital branch: the parieto-occipital, calcarine, posterior temporal, and common temporal arteries, as well as the lingual gyrus artery. These vessels were found in all the brains examined except the lingual gyrus artery, which was present in only 8.3%. The occipital branches were noted to supply variable cortical regions. In addition, they sometimes took part in irrigation of deep forebrain structures. It was concluded that occlusion of a certain occipital artery may cause varying clinical signs and symptoms in different patients. The neurologic deficits that may occur following the isolated occlusion of individual occipital branches of the posterior cerebral artery are discussed.