Arterial Supply to the Splenium of the Corpus Callosum
The splenium of the corpus callosum receives dual vascular supply from both the anterior circulation via the anterior pericallosal artery (in 40% of cases) and the posterior circulation via the posterior pericallosal artery (in 88% of cases) and posterior accessory pericallosal artery (in 50% of cases). 1
Primary Vascular Supply Pattern
The vascularization of the splenium demonstrates significant anatomical variability and typically involves multiple arterial branches:
- Posterior pericallosal artery (branch of posterior cerebral artery) provides the dominant blood supply in 88% of hemispheres 1
- Posterior accessory pericallosal artery contributes to splenial perfusion in 50% of cases 1
- Anterior pericallosal artery (branch of anterior cerebral artery) supplies the splenium in 40% of hemispheres 1
Important Anatomical Considerations
The splenium is perfused by both anterior and posterior circulations, making it a watershed zone with unique vulnerability to ischemic injury. 2
Vascular Pattern Characteristics:
- The vascularization pattern differs between hemispheres in the same individual 1
- Multiple arterial branches typically supply the splenium rather than a single dominant vessel 1
- In arteriovenous malformations of the corpus callosum, 59% of nidi involving the splenium receive feeders from both anterior and posterior cerebral artery territories 3
Clinical Relevance:
- The dual circulation pattern explains why splenial lesions can occur in both anterior and posterior circulation strokes 2
- This vascular anatomy is critical for surgical planning in splenial arteriovenous malformations, which frequently involve multi-axial feeders requiring comprehensive treatment 3, 4
- The compact glial cell composition and specific fiber architecture of the splenium, combined with its vascular supply pattern, make it vulnerable to specific pathological processes including reversible splenial lesions 2