The internal capsule is a compact band of white matter that carries most fibres passing between the cerebral cortex and the brainstem, spinal cord and thalamus. In horizontal section it is V-shaped, with an anterior limb, genu and posterior limb, wedged between the caudate nucleus and thalamus medially and the lentiform nucleus laterally. Above it fans out as the corona radiata; below it continues as the cerebral peduncle.
| Location | Deep in each hemisphere, between the caudate nucleus and thalamus medially and the lentiform nucleus laterally |
|---|---|
| Parts |
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| Connections |
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| Blood Supply | Lenticulostriate arteries (middle cerebral artery); Anterior choroidal artery; Recurrent artery of Heubner (anterior cerebral artery) |
Acts as the main highway for motor fibres leaving the cortex and sensory fibres arriving from the thalamus.
Because so many fibres are packed into a small space, a small infarct or bleed here can cause dense weakness of the opposite face, arm and leg (pure motor stroke), often with sensory loss. It is a classic site for lacunar infarcts and hypertensive haemorrhage. Deep brain stimulation of its anterior limb is used for severe obsessive compulsive disorder.
A small deep stroke from occlusion of a penetrating artery, often causing pure motor hemiparesis when in the posterior limb.
Bleeding from small deep arteries that often involves the putamen and internal capsule.
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