Internal auditory artery

Internal Auditory Artery

The internal auditory artery and its branches.

The Internal Auditory Artery (IAA) is a branch of the Anterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery (AICA) that supplies blood to the inner ear. It is a critical component of the auditory system, and its obstruction can lead to sudden sensorineural hearing loss or vestibular schwannoma.

Anatomy

The IAA originates from the AICA, which is a branch of the basilar artery. It enters the internal auditory meatus along with the facial nerve and vestibulocochlear nerve. The artery then divides into the labyrinthine artery, which supplies the cochlea, vestibule, and semicircular canals, and the anterior vestibular artery, which supplies the saccule and utricle.

Clinical significance

The IAA is susceptible to ischemia, which can result in sudden sensorineural hearing loss. This condition is often associated with vertigo, tinnitus, and aural fullness. The artery can also be affected by vestibular schwannoma, a benign tumor that can compress the artery and disrupt blood flow to the inner ear.

See also

• Anterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery
• Internal auditory meatus
• Vestibular schwannoma