Which of the following correctly describes the blood supply to the cochlea and the consequence of its disruption?

• A Posterior inferior cerebellar artery; occlusion causes slowly progressive conductive hearing loss
• B Labyrinthine artery (branch of AICA); occlusion causes sudden SNHL because it is an end artery with no collateral supply ✓
• C Basilar artery directly; occlusion causes bilateral conductive hearing loss
• D Vertebral artery; collateral supply from PICA prevents hearing loss

Explanation

The labyrinthine (internal auditory) artery is a branch of the AICA (anterior inferior cerebellar artery) and is the sole blood supply to the cochlea — it is a true end artery with no collateral circulation. Occlusion causes sudden sensorineural hearing loss. This is clinically relevant in lateral medullary syndrome where AICA territory ischemia can cause labyrinthine infarction.

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.