Which symptom is commonly associated with a left middle cerebral artery infarct?

A left middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarct typically impacts areas of the brain responsible for motor and sensory functions, as well as language processing. The middle cerebral artery supplies a significant portion of the lateral cerebral cortex, which includes areas critical for speech and language, especially in the dominant hemisphere (usually the left hemisphere for right-handed individuals).

Aphasia, which is a language disorder that affects a person's ability to communicate, is closely linked with damage to the areas of the brain associated with speech production and comprehension. Since a left MCA infarct may damage Broca's area and Wernicke's area, patients are likely to exhibit symptoms of expressive or receptive aphasia. Thus, aphasia is a relevant and common symptom arising from this type of stroke.

While hemiparesis is also a common symptom of a left MCA infarct due to its effect on motor function (particularly contralateral weakness affecting the upper limb and face), it does not specifically characterize the language impairments commonly seen with aphasia. Ataxia is typically linked to cerebellar involvement, and sensory loss in the leg might be more associated with other vascular territories, particularly those affecting the anterior cerebral artery, which primarily affects the lower extremities. Therefore, aphasia