Introduction & Aim: The middle cerebral artery arises from the internal carotid artery as the terminal branch.  It runs in the stem of lateral fissure as M1 segment and then on the insula as M2 segment with branches. The adjacent opercular cortex supplied by M3 and M4 segment. The aim of study was to record variations in branching pattern of middle cerebral artery in reference to insular cortex.

Material & Method: Formalin fixed 29 brains (58 right and left cerebral hemispheres) were studied at department of Anatomy, Gandhi medical college Bhopal. In the sylvian fissure the branching pattern and variations of middle cerebral artery observed. With the help of Digital Vernier Caliper and magnifying glasses the lengths of M1 & M2 segments recorded.

Result: The bifurcation pattern was present in 96.55% (56/58) cerebral hemispheres. The Mean length of the M1 segment of middle cerebral artery right side 14.63 ± 2.16 mm & left side 15.73 ± 2.54 mm. & M2 segment of middle cerebral artery superior trunk, right side 41.41 ± 8.48 mm, left side 40.18 ± 9.65 mm. and  Inferior trunk, right  side  49.63 ± 9.67 mm,  left side  49.17 ± 9.71 mm.

Conclusion: Bifurcation is more common than trifurcation and the  Mean  length  of  Inferior  trunk  was  more  than superior  trunk  in both right   and left   side. In case of acute middle cerebral artery infarction, the blood supply of insular cortex gets affected and results in diagnostic radiological sign.

Keywords: morphology, morphometric, M2 segment middle cerebral artery, superior and inferior trunk, insular cortex.

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Dr Vandana Sharma

Associate Professor and Head, Dept of Anatomy,

Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal (MP). Pin code 462001

Mob: +9229692241, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.