Posterior Cerebral Artery in a Sagittal Section of the Brain Viewed from the Side

Description

Viewed in lateral profile through a midsagittal section, the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) courses posteriorly around the midbrain, then sweeps toward the medial aspect of the occipital lobe where its calcarine and parieto-occipital branches arborize over the cortex. Superior to the tentorial surface you would expect the posterior parietal and occipital cortex, while inferiorly the vessel’s cortical branches relate to the medial temporal region en route to the visual cortex. Brainstem contours are suggested by the vessel’s proximal path near the cerebral peduncle, and the cerebellum may be partially visible posterior to the fourth ventricle region depending on the cut. Small arterioles radiate distally across the posterior pole. Clear territory mapping. Clinically, this side-on sagittal presentation helps connect PCA anatomy to stroke patterns: infarction of the calcarine artery produces contralateral homonymous hemianopia, often with macular sparing due to collateral flow from the middle cerebral artery. Proximal PCA involvement also explains mixed cortical and brainstem signs when perforators to the thalamus and midbrain are affected, a pattern that is easy to miss when learners only memorize surface territories. For endovascular planning, the image reinforces the PCA’s relationship to the midbrain and tentorial edge, which frames why P1 segment occlusion behaves differently from distal P2 to P3 branch disease. Use this artwork in neuroanatomy and neurovascular teaching blocks to anchor posterior circulation supply, or in neurology and neuroradiology texts discussing visual field deficits, posterior circulation ischemia, and vascular territories on sagittal imaging. It also suits patient education materials for occipital lobe stroke when paired with perimetry results and MRI diffusion-weighted images. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.