Vestibulocochlear artery

The vestibulocochlear artery (Cochleovestibular artery) is a terminal branch of the common cochlear artery, which itself is one of the two main divisions of the labyrinthine artery (internal auditory artery). It is a small end-artery that supplies both vestibular and cochlear structures within the inner ear.

Parent Vessel and Branching Hierarchy

The labyrinthine artery which originates from the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) in approximately 75-89% of cases, or directly from the basilar artery in the remainder enters the internal auditory canal alongside the facial (CN VII) and vestibulocochlear (CN VIII) nerves. Within the internal auditory canal, the labyrinthine artery divides into two principal branches:

• Anterior vestibular artery supplies the utricle, the superior and lateral semicircular canals, and a small portion of the saccule.

• Common cochlear artery which further divides into:

  • The main cochlear artery (spiral modiolar artery), supplying the cochlea including the stria vascularis and spiral ligament.

  • The vestibulocochlear artery, which bifurcates into:

    • A cochlear branch (posterior spiral modiolar branch) supplying the basal turn of the cochlea.

    • A vestibular branch (posterior vestibular artery) supplying the inferior portion of the saccule and the posterior semicircular canal.