Structures passing through internal capsule:

Internal capsule contains largely the descending 1.cortico spinal and 2 cortico
bulbar fibers 3.Non pyramidal motor tracts and 4.ascending thalamo cortical
fibres.
Non Pyramidal motor tract are
• .fibers from cortex to cerebellum via pons,
• and from cortex to striatum (thalamus, caudate nucleus ,putamen,substansia
nigra, rednucleus,brain stem reticular formation).
• These pathways are adjacent to pyramidal tract and so can be involved in
lesions of pyramidal tract.

Anterior limb- Fronto pontine and Thalamo cortical fibers mainly.
Genu: CORTICO BULBAR tract –passes through genu
Posterior limb: 1. lenticulo thalamic, 2.thalamocortical, 3.CORTICO SPINAL, 4.Cortico
rubral5. Fronto pontine 6.Cortico reticular fibers.
The retro lenticular part contains fibers from auditory radiation
Posterior to this - travel fibers of optic radiation
Commonest-atherosclerosis of intra cerebral vessels P a g e | 15

Others causes: blood disorders, Polycythemia, sickle cell anemia
 Antiphospholipid syndrome, Hyperhomocysteinemia
 Oral contraceptives,
 Dehydration in extremes of age, slowing of blood stream