The blood supply of the midbrain in man and monkey

• Main Author: Kahn, N. M.
• Published: University of London 1969
• Subjects: 612.8
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.602603

A review of the literature indicated that the blood supply of the midbrain had been studied but little in detail. An investigation was therefore carried out on human and monkey material. Of the techniques tried, coloured gelatin, radio-opaque, and especially Indian ink injections proved most informative. 1. The generally accepted sources of blood supply were confirmed. Accepted data on the origin, variations, number and size of vessels have been presented in schematic form, restricting description of the various named vessels involved to relevant detail. 2. Superficial vascular anastomoses on the midbrain have been confirmed. Midline surface anastomoses over the tectum have been shown to exist. The extent of midbrain supply by different arteries as observed by surface inspection and in microscopic sections has been described and illustrated. 4. Differences from and agreements with previous descriptions, and the originality of certain observations,have been pointed out. 5.An absence of arteriovenous anastomoses in the midbrain pia mater has been confirmed. 6. Entirely original observations on the intramesencephalic veins have been presented. Collecting veins of the midbrain have been described. Incidence of variations affecting the basal and lateral mesencephalic veins have been presented in schematic form. 8. Anastomoses of the dorsal mesencephalic and mesencephalic-cerebellar veins have been described. Through these anastomoses the possibility of a short circuiting of the internal or great cerebral veins to the superior petrosal sinus has been suggested. 9. Capillary density studies on representative tracts and nuclei of the midbrain (and some neighbouring structures) were carried out by a dot graticule method. Data on their relative vascularities have been tabulated. 10. The results have been discussed and conclusions drawn.