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Labyrinthine artery

Dr Frank Gaillard et al.

The labyrinthine artery (also known as the auditory artery, internal auditory artery) is a long and slender artery that is the main arterial supply to the vestibular apparatus and cochlea. It usually originates from the AICA (83.6%), although it can also branch from the basilar artery (12.3%), vertebral artery (4.1%) 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:

  1. anterior vestibular artery : supplies
  2. 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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