Anterior vestibular artery

The anterior vestibular artery (AVA) is a terminal branch of the labyrinthine artery (Internal auditory artery), which itself is most commonly a branch of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) arising from the AICA in approximately 89-92% of cases, and less frequently directly from the basilar artery.

Origin and course

The labyrinthine artery enters the internal auditory meatus alongside the facial and vestibulocochlear nerves. Near the floor of the internal auditory meatus, it divides into two main branches: the anterior vestibular artery and the common cochlear artery. The anterior vestibular artery follows the superior ramus of the vestibular nerve (superior vestibular nerve) into the vestibule of the inner ear.

Territory of supply

• Utricle (and its macula)

• Superior (anterior) semicircular canal (and its ampulla)

• Lateral (horizontal) semicircular canal (and its ampulla)

• A portion of the saccule

These structures correspond to the territory innervated by the superior vestibular nerve. Notably, the anterior vestibular artery does not supply the cochlea or the posterior semicircular canal, which are supplied by the common cochlear artery and the posterior vestibular artery, respectively.