Diagram of the arterial circulation at the base of the brain (inferior view). The anterior choroidal artery is labeled at right of the circle of Willis.
Occlusion of the artery can result in loss of sensation, loss of part of the visual field, and impaired movement, all on the opposite side of the body as the occlusion.
It initially course posterolaterally on the inferior surface of the cerebral hemisphere alongside the optic tract, crossing the tract medial-to-lateral[3] inferior to the tract.[4] At the level of the lateral geniculate nucleus, it curves around the lateral aspect of the cerebral peduncle to reach its posterior aspect. It reaches the medial portion of the transverse cerebral fissure to enter the lateral ventricle.[3] It enters the lateral ventricle at the apex of its inferior horn, at the inferior extremity of choroid fissure, just superior to the uncus.[4]
Distribution
It serves structures in the prosencephalon, diencephalon, and mesencephalon:[2]
Occlusion of the artery results in contralateralhemianopsia (partial loss of vision) and hemianaesthesia (loss of sensation), as well as partial hemiplegia (loss of the ability to move).[4] These symptoms are thought to arise from ischemic damage to the posterior limb of the internal capsule, thalamus, and optic chiasm/optic tract. However, the posterior limb of the internal capsule also receives lenticulostriate arteries from the middle cerebral artery, thus creating partially redundant supply.[5]
