Internal capsule: The homunculus distribution in the posterior limb

Abstract Introduction In our experience, sometimes, the symptom of patients who suffered from infarction in internal capsule ( IC ) do not necessarily fit the classical fiber distribution. This study aims to explain this phenomenon. Methods and Materials A total of 34 patients with infarction lesions in the IC were included in this study, according to the clinical symptom, divided into three groups, group A (more severe weakness of the foot than the hand), group B (more severe weakness of the hand than the foot) and group C (equal weakness of hand and foot), and group Y (with facial nerve paresis) and group N (without facial nerve paresis). Measurements included the length ratio and the angle degree of infarction lesions compared with the posterior limb of the IC ( PLIC ). Results The length ratio of infarction lesions is significant difference between group A and group B ( p = .027), the angle degree of infarction lesions is significant difference between group Y and group N ( p = .038). Conclusion From our results, we can conclude that the hand fibers are located laterally to foot fibers in the short axis of the posterior limb of the IC , and the face fibers are located in the premedial part of the posterior limb of the internal capsule.