The MCA is a large blood vessel. Large-vessel strokes affect more of the brain than strokes in small vessels. If the MCA itself is blocked, the result is a large-vessel stroke that affects its entire territory. If only a small branch of the MCA is blocked, it causes a small-vessel stroke.

Why middle cerebral artery stroke is common?

The middle cerebral artery territory is the most commonly affected territory in a cerebral infarction, due to the size of the territory and the direct flow from the internal carotid artery into the middle cerebral artery, providing the easiest path for thromboembolism.

Which intracranial artery is most commonly associated with stroke?

The middle cerebral artery (MCA) is the most common artery involved in acute stroke.