labyrinthine artery

The labyrinthine artery, also known as the auditory artery or internal auditory artery, is a long and slender artery that is the main arterial supply to the vestibular apparatus and cochlea. It also vascularizes the VII and VIII cranial nerves.

It usually originates from the AICA (~85%), although it can also branch from the basilar artery (~15%), vertebral artery (~5%) or even superior cerebellar artery.

From its origin, it accompanies the vestibulocochlear nerve and passes into the internal acoustic meatus where it divides into two branches:

  • anterior vestibular artery
  • common cochlear artery, which further divides into
    • proper cochlear artery
    • vestibulocochlear artery: gives of a vestibular ramus and a cochlear ramus
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