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Posterior Choroidal Arteries

arteriae chorioideae posteriores

The posterior choroidal arteries are branches of the posterior cerebral artery that supply the choroid plexus of the third ventricle and the lateral ventricle temporal horns, as well as the posterior thalamus, the pineal gland, and the medial temporal lobe. The medial posterior choroidal arteries arise from the PCA proximal segment; the lateral posterior choroidal arteries arise more distally and supply the choroid plexus of the temporal horn.

Region: Head & Skull

Clinical Relevance

Clinical Notes

Posterior choroidal artery territory infarction produces a characteristic pattern of contralateral hemisensory loss from thalamic involvement, hemianopia from lateral geniculate or optic radiation involvement, and occasionally memory impairment from hippocampal involvement. Unlike anterior choroidal artery strokes, hemiplegia is uncommon. On MRI DWI, posterior choroidal infarcts appear as comma-shaped or crescent-shaped lesions in the posterolateral thalamus and pulvinar. The posterior choroidal arteries are at risk during resection of pineal region tumours and posterior thalamic arteriovenous malformations.

Pathology

Common Injuries & Conditions

Posterior Choroidal Artery Thalamic Infarct

Posterior choroidal artery occlusion produces posterolateral thalamic infarction with contralateral hemisensory loss and hemianopia as the dominant deficits, sparing the internal capsule and therefore causing little or no motor weakness, a pattern that distinguishes it from anterior choroidal or MCA strokes on clinical and MRI grounds.