Which artery supplies blood mainly to the occipital lobe, inferior surface of the temporal lobe, midbrain, and thalamus?

• A. Posterior cerebral artery
• B. Basilar artery
• C. Superior cerebellar artery
• D. Anterior inferior cerebellar artery

Answer: (A)

The posterior cerebral artery is responsible for supplying the occipital lobe, the inferior surface of the temporal lobe, and deep structures like the midbrain and thalamus. It delivers the calcarine branches to the primary visual cortex in the occipital lobe, and other branches reach the inferior temporal areas. It also gives perforating branches to the thalamus (thalamogeniculate and posterior choroidal arteries) and to parts of the midbrain. In contrast, the basilar artery mainly nourishes the brainstem and cerebellum, while the superior cerebellar artery and the anterior inferior cerebellar artery provide mainly cerebellar and pontine regions. Thus, the posterior cerebral artery best fits the described distribution.