A lacunar infarct is indicative of an event occurring in what type of artery?

A lacunar infarct specifically refers to small, deep infarcts that occur due to occlusion of small penetrating arteries that supply the brain's deeper structures, such as the thalamus, basal ganglia, and internal capsule. These small arteries are often affected by chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, leading to lipohyalinosis, which predisposes them to occlusion. The term "lacunar" reflects the small, cavity-like areas of infarction that are characteristic of these events.

In the context of the provided options, the choice indicating small arteries directly correlates with the pathophysiology of lacunar strokes, which occur in the smaller penetrative branches of larger cerebral arteries. This understanding highlights the relationship between chronic vascular disease and the mechanism behind lacunar infarcts. Larger cerebral arteries are not responsible for lacunar infarcts because these strokes are defined by their occurrence in smaller, deeper arteries rather than larger vessels.