To which region does the Anterior Cerebral Artery primarily supply blood?

The Anterior Cerebral Artery (ACA) is primarily responsible for supplying blood to the medial aspects of the frontal and parietal lobes of the brain. This arterial supply affects areas that are critical for a variety of functions, including movement and sensation associated with the lower limbs and feet.

The medial cortex encompasses regions such as the supplementary motor area and parts of the primary motor and sensory cortices. These areas are involved in voluntary motor control and sensory perception, particularly involving the legs and feet, which are especially associated with the ACA’s vascular territory.

In contrast, the lateral cortex is primarily supplied by the middle cerebral artery, and other options like the internal ear and the thalamus are supplied by different arteries. The internal ear receives blood supply primarily from the anterior inferior cerebellar artery and the thalamus is mostly vascularized by the posterior cerebral artery and the thalamic branches. Therefore, the correct association of the ACA's primary role in supplying blood aligns with the medial cortex, highlighting its critical influence on specific motor and sensory functions in that region of the brain.