Anterior inferior cerebellar artery

The anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA, Latin: arteria cerebellaris anterior inferior) is a branch of the basilar artery that mainly supplies blood to the cerebellum. It also participates in supplying the pons and the internal ear.

The anterior inferior cerebellar artery arises at the level of the junction between the medulla oblongata and pons. Further, it travels posterolaterally, proceeds to the internal acoustic meatus and then arches along the undersurface of the cerebellum. On its course, the AICA typically gives rise to two side branches: labyrinthine artery and subarcuate artery.

To sum up, the anterior inferior cerebellar artery with its branches provides arterial blood supply to the anterior inferior surface of cerebellum, flocculus (flocculonodular lobe of the cerebellum), middle cerebellar peduncle, inferior portion of the pons, as well as structures of the internal (inner) ear.