labyrinthine artery

{{Short description|Artery of the internal ear}}

{{Infobox Artery

| Name = Labyrinthine artery

| Latin = arteria labyrinthi, arteria auditiva interna

| Width = 250

| Image = File:Circle_of_Willis_en.svg

| Caption = Diagram of the arterial circulation at the base of the brain. (Internal auditory artery labeled at center left.)

| Image2 =

| Caption2=

| BranchFrom = Anterior inferior cerebellar artery or basilar artery

| BranchTo =

| Vein = Internal auditory veins

| Supplies =Inner ear

}}

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.

Structure

The labyrinthine artery is a branch of either the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) or the basilar artery.{{Cite book|last1=Moini|first1=Jahangir|chapter-url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128174241000124|title=Functional and Clinical Neuroanatomy - A Guide for Health Care Professionals|last2=Piran|first2=Pirouz|publisher=Academic Press|year=2020|isbn=978-0-12-817424-1|pages=363–392|language=en|chapter=12 - Auditory system|doi=10.1016/B978-0-12-817424-1.00012-4|s2cid=242466369 }}{{Cite book|last=Wilkinson|first=J. L.|chapter-url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780750614474500189|title=Neuroanatomy for Medical Students|publisher=Butterworth-Heinemann|year=1992|isbn=978-0-7506-1447-4|edition=2nd|pages=253–264|language=en|chapter=14 - Blood supply of the central nervous system|doi=10.1016/B978-0-7506-1447-4.50018-9}} It accompanies the vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII) through the internal acoustic meatus. It divides into a cochlear branch and a labyrinthine (or anterior vestibular) branch.

Function

The labyrinthine artery supplies blood to the inner ear.{{Cite book|last=Walker|first=M.|chapter-url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780123851574011854|title=Encyclopedia of the Neurological Sciences - Reference Module in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Psychology|publisher=Academic Press|year=2014|isbn=978-0-12-385158-1|edition=2nd|pages=647–656|language=en|chapter=Vestibular System|doi=10.1016/B978-0-12-385157-4.01185-4}} It also supplies the vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII) along its length.

Clinical significance

The labyrinthine artery may become occluded. This can cause loss of hearing and balance on the affected side.

History

The labyrinthine artery may also be known as the internal auditory artery or the auditory artery.

See also

References

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