Labyrinthine artery
Artery of the internal ear
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The labyrinthine artery (auditory artery, internal auditory artery) is a branch of either the anterior inferior cerebellar artery or the basilar artery. It accompanies the vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII) through the internal acoustic meatus. It supplies blood to the internal ear.
| Labyrinthine artery | |
|---|---|
Diagram of the arterial circulation at the base of the brain. (Internal auditory artery labeled at center left.) | |
| Details | |
| Source | Anterior inferior cerebellar artery or basilar artery |
| Vein | Internal auditory veins |
| Supplies | Inner ear |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | arteria labyrinthi, arteria auditiva interna |
| TA98 | A12.2.08.020 |
| TA2 | 4551 |
| FMA | 50548 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
Structure
The labyrinthine artery is a branch of either the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) or the basilar artery.[1][2] It accompanies the vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII) through the internal acoustic meatus.[1] It divides into a cochlear branch and a labyrinthine (or anterior vestibular) branch.[1]
Function
The labyrinthine artery supplies blood to the inner ear.[1][3] It also supplies the vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII) along its length.[3]
Clinical significance
History
The labyrinthine artery may also be known as the internal auditory artery or the auditory artery.
