Microsurgical anatomy of the fiber tracts and vascular structures lateral to the internal capsule

OBJECTIVE The cerebral structures lateral to the internal capsule are frequently involved in studies of nervous system functions and diseases. This study aimed to investigate the fiber tracts and vascular structures of the brain lateral to the internal capsule using cranial specimens and specimen perfusion techniques. METHODS Ten cranial specimens were perfused via arteries and veins using specimen perfusion techniques and then processed using the fiber dissection method. The authors studied the fiber tracts and vascular structures from the cerebral cortex to the internal capsule, moving from lateral to medial. RESULTS The topographical relationships between the fiber tracts, nuclei, and vascular structures were identified. This was achieved by examining structures from the gray matter cortex of the brain’s lateral surface, including U fibers, long association fiber tracts, and the insular lobe, extending to the level of the internal capsule. CONCLUSIONS Understanding the anatomical structures of white matter fiber tracts and vascular structures from the brain’s lateral surface to the level of the internal capsule aids in planning safe, effective, and minimally invasive surgical procedures. It also contributes to advancements in neuroscience research.