A patient with a small vestibular schwannoma confined strictly to the internal auditory canal presents with sensorineural hearing loss and facial spasm. Which artery typically traverses this canal alongside the facial and vestibulocochlear nerves?

• A Anterior inferior cerebellar artery
• B Labyrinthine artery ✓
• C Posterior inferior cerebellar artery
• D Superior cerebellar artery

Explanation

The internal auditory meatus transmits the facial nerve, the vestibulocochlear nerve, and the labyrinthine artery. The labyrinthine artery is usually a branch of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery. While the AICA loops near the cerebellopontine angle, the labyrinthine artery is the specific vessel that enters the canal to supply the inner ear. The PICA and SCA are located in the posterior fossa but do not traverse the internal auditory meatus.

Reference: Gray's Anatomy for Students, 4th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.