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Paracentral Artery

arteria paracentralis

The paracentral artery is a cortical branch of the anterior cerebral artery (typically arising from the pericallosal or callosomarginal artery at the A3-A4 level) that supplies the paracentral lobule — the medial surface of the primary motor and sensory cortex representing the lower extremity and perineum. It is the dominant supply to the motor leg area (precentral gyrus medial surface) and sensory leg area (postcentral gyrus medial surface).

Region: Head & Skull

Clinical Relevance

Clinical Notes

Paracentral artery infarction produces the classic ACA territory stroke syndrome: contralateral lower limb paresis (from motor leg area infarction) with relative sparing of the arm and face (supplied by MCA), and contralateral leg sensory loss. Bilateral paracentral lobule infarction from bilateral ACA territory infarction produces bilateral lower limb paresis with urinary incontinence from bilateral paracentral lobule involvement. The paracentral lobule is the cortical target for deep brain stimulation and spinal cord stimulation planning in lower limb pain conditions.

Pathology

Common Injuries & Conditions

Paracentral Artery Infarction Causing Contralateral Leg Weakness

Paracentral artery territory infarction from ACA occlusion produces contralateral lower limb monoplegia with relative arm and face sparing plus bladder dysfunction from bilateral representation of the perineal motor cortex in the paracentral lobule; the ACA stroke syndrome is distinguished from MCA stroke by the predominant leg motor deficit pattern.