Temporo-occipital branch

At a glance

English

Temporo-occipital branch

Latin (TA2)

Ramus temporooccipitalis arteriae cerebri mediae

System

Artery

Region

Head

Side

Paired, left and right

About the temporo-occipital branch

The temporo-occipital branch is the last and most posterior of the temporal branches of the middle cerebral artery. It leaves the posterior end of the lateral sulcus, usually from the lower division of the artery, behind the posterior temporal branch, and runs backwards across the lateral surface of the hemisphere.

Its course takes it along the posterior part of the temporal lobe, often near the superior temporal sulcus, towards the junction of the temporal, parietal and occipital lobes. It supplies the posterior ends of the superior and middle temporal gyri and the adjoining lateral surface of the occipital lobe. Its territory lies next to that of the artery of the angular gyrus above and meets branches of the posterior cerebral artery behind and below.

The cortex at the temporo-occipital junction takes part in recognising moving visual objects and in linking visual and language information. Because the branch reaches into the boundary zone with the posterior cerebral artery, its territory is among the areas at risk of watershed infarction when the blood supply to the brain falls. Infarction here in the dominant hemisphere can contribute to difficulties in understanding language and in reading; in either hemisphere it may impair the perception of motion. The vessel is also a useful marker on angiograms of the posterior extent of the middle cerebral territory.

Course and supply

Arises from

The middle cerebral artery, usually its lower division, at the posterior end of the lateral sulcus.

Ends in

Ends over the temporo-occipital region, meeting branches of the posterior cerebral artery.

Supplies

Supplies the posterior temporal gyri and the adjacent lateral occipital cortex.