A study of the orbitofrontal branch of the middle cerebral artery in Northern India

Abstract

IntroductionThe orbitofrontal branch of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) is responsible for blood supply to the orbitofrontal cortex along with the orbitofrontal branch of the anterior cerebral artery. Mostly, it is a branch of superior division of M2 segment of MCA; however, in this study, it was seen to arise more commonly from M1 segment of MCA. Though the orbitofrontal branch of ACA is researched by many authors, the orbitofrontal branch of MCA has gained less attention of the researchers. There is paucity of work on this branch of MCA in Indian literature specially in the northern part. Descriptions of the orbitofrontal branch of the middle cerebral artery, which we found in the literature, did not correlate with our observations. The aim of the study was to observe, record, and compare variations in origin and branching pattern of the orbitofrontal artery, hoping to find immediate application of our findings in the field of cerebrovascular surgery. Materials and methodsA total of 20 middle cerebral arteries were studied, which were obtained from 10 brains. Meticulous dissection was done, and the middle cerebral artery was exposed and cleaned in lateral sulcus on the inferior surface of the brain. Its orbitofrontal branch was studied in detail. Digital photographs were taken. ResultOut of the 20 MCAs studied, the orbitofrontal artery was found to arise from M1 segment in 15 cases. In the remaining 5 cases, it was found to originate from the superior trunk of M2 segment of the middle cerebral artery.