What clinical symptoms might indicate a middle cerebral artery stroke?

A middle cerebral artery (MCA) stroke often results in specific clinical symptoms due to the areas of the brain that this artery supplies. The correct choice highlights aphasia and contralateral hemiparesis, which are both classic manifestations of an MCA stroke.

Aphasia occurs when the stroke damages the language centers of the brain, commonly found in the dominant hemisphere (usually the left hemisphere for right-handed individuals). This can lead to difficulty in speaking, understanding language, reading, and writing. Contralateral hemiparesis refers to weakness on the side of the body opposite to the side of the brain affected by the stroke. Since the MCA supplies a significant portion of the lateral cerebral hemisphere, which includes motor and sensory pathways, this weakness typically affects the arm and face more than the leg.

Other choices present symptoms that can be associated with different types of strokes or neurological conditions but are not typical of an MCA stroke. Dysphagia and visual loss, for instance, can suggest brainstem or posterior circulation strokes. Ataxia and seizures may indicate cerebellar or cortical involvement, while syncope and headaches are often related to other vascular or neurological issues, such as transient ischemic attacks or migraines. Thus, the symptoms of aphasia and