Stroke types by anatomy

Question 1

Anterior cerebral artery

Answer 1

• Contralateral hemiparesis and sensory loss (to the lesion)
• Lower extremity > upper

Question 2

Middle cerebral artery

Answer 2

• Contralateral hemiparesis and sensory loss, upper extremity > lower
• Contralateral homonymous hemianopia
• Aphasia

Contralateral to the lesion

Question 3

Posterior cerebral artery

Answer 3

• Contralateral homonymous hemianopia with macular sparing
• Visual agnosia

Question 4

Weber’s syndrome (branches of the posterior cerebral artery that supply the midbrain)

Answer 4

• Ipsilateral CN III palsy
• Contralateral weakness of upper and lower extremity

Question 5

Posterior inferior cerebellar artery (lateral medullary syndrome, Wallenberg syndrome)

Answer 5

ipsilateral: ataxia, nystagmus, dysphagia, facial numbness, cranial nerve palsy e.g. Horner’s
contralateral: limb sensory loss

Question 6

Anterior inferior cerebellar artery (lateral pontine syndrome)

Answer 6

Symptoms are similar to Wallenberg’s, but:
Ipsilateral: facial paralysis and deafness

Question 7

Retinal/ophthalmic artery

Answer 7

Amaurosis fugax

Question 8

Basilar artery

Answer 8

‘Locked-in’ syndrome