Object: The authors describe some of the features of the medial striate branch or recurrent artery of Heubner (RAH). This structure has indisputable functional, neurological, and neurosurgical significance, and originates from the A(1) and/or A(2) segments of the anterior cerebral artery.
Methods: Microdissection of 94 human fetal specimens was performed. The RAH was observed in 97.3% (single in 71.6%, double in 25.1%, and triple in 3.3%) of the cases. Its origin was from A(2) in 42.3% of specimens, from the A(1)-A(2) junction in 25.7%, and from A(1) in 20%.
Results: Five types and 14 subtypes of the RAH were identified, determined based on vessel origin and number. In its course, the RAH gave 1-12 branches, and the terminal part most frequently penetrated into the brain through the anterior perforated substance at the level of the sphenoid segment of the middle cerebral artery. The specimens with a single RAH fenestration, abnormal double RAH anastomosis, and unusual RAH origin and relationship to the surrounding vessels represented new data.
Conclusions: The authors' observations of common anatomical variations in the number and origin of the RAH, as well as its abnormalities, may assist neuroradiologists in the interpretation of diagnostic test results and neurosurgeons in performing procedures in the anterior cerebral circulation.