Prefrontal artery

At a glance

English

Prefrontal artery

Latin (TA2)

Arteria prefrontalis

System

Artery

Region

Head

Side

Paired, left and right

About the prefrontal artery

The prefrontal artery is one of the frontal cortical branches of the middle cerebral artery. It emerges from the anterior part of the lateral sulcus, usually from the upper division of the artery, and runs forwards and upwards over the lateral surface of the frontal lobe. Its branches often fan out in a shape that has led to the group being called candelabra branches.

It supplies the anterior parts of the inferior and middle frontal gyri, including the pars triangularis and the pars orbitalis of the inferior frontal gyrus. Behind it lies the precentral artery, which supplies the region in front of the motor cortex, and below and in front lies the lateral orbitofrontal artery on the orbital surface. Above, its territory meets that of the anterior cerebral artery near the superior frontal sulcus.

The lateral prefrontal cortex is concerned with planning, working memory and control of behaviour. In the dominant hemisphere the inferior frontal gyrus contains Broca's area, which is supplied by the prefrontal artery together with the neighbouring precentral branch. Occlusion in this region can therefore cause a non-fluent aphasia, in which speech is slow and effortful but understanding is relatively preserved. Damage confined to the more anterior territory tends to cause subtler changes in attention, organisation and initiative.

Course and supply

Arises from

The middle cerebral artery, usually its upper division, from the anterior part of the lateral sulcus.

Ends in

Ends in branches over the lateral frontal lobe, meeting the territory of the anterior cerebral artery above.

Supplies

Supplies the anterior parts of the inferior and middle frontal gyri.