The blood supply to the cochlea is provided almost exclusively by which artery, making it extremely vulnerable to ischemia?

• A Anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA)
• B Posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA)
• C Vertebral artery directly
• D Labyrinthine artery (internal auditory artery), an end artery ✓

Explanation

The labyrinthine artery (a branch of AICA in most cases) is an end artery with no collateral circulation, making the cochlea acutely sensitive to vascular compromise. Any thromboembolic event causes sudden sensorineural hearing loss. AICA occlusion therefore causes ipsilateral deafness, tinnitus, and vertigo along with other lateral pontine signs.

Reference: Dhingra Diseases of Ear, Nose and Throat, 7th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.