The ASPECTS value is calculated from two standard axial CT cuts: one at the level of the thalamus and basal ganglia (left), and one just rostral to the basal ganglia (right). A: anterior circulation; P: posterior circulation; C: caudate; L: lentiform; IC: internal capsule; I: insular ribbon; MCA: middle cerebral artery; M1: anterior MCA cortex; M2: MCA cortex lateral to insular ribbon; M3: posterior MCA cortex; M4, M5, and M6 are anterior, lateral, and posterior MCA territories immediately superior to M1, M2, and M3, rostral to basal ganglia