Three Cerebellar Arteries: Superior Cerebellar Artery, Anterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery, and Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery

Abstract

The three cerebellar arteries comprise superior cerebellar artery (SCA), anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA), and posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA). SCA, AICA, and PICA course around the brainstem, near the three cerebellar peduncles, and in the three cerebellar–brainstem fissures between the cerebellum and brainstem to reach the three cerebellar hemispheres, as described in Chap. 1: “The “Rules of Three” in the Posterior Cranial Fossa” (Fig. 3.1). SCA courses around the midbrain, supplying the anterior part of the roof of the fourth ventricle, the superior cerebellar peduncle in the cerebellomesencephalic fissure, and the tentorial (superior) cerebellar surface [1, 8]. AICA courses around the pons, supplying the lateral part of the fourth ventricle, the middle cerebellar peduncle in the cerebellopontine fissure, and the petrosal (lateral) cerebellar surface [4, 8]. PICA courses around the medulla oblongata, passing through the lower cranial nerves (CNs), and supplies the inferior cerebellar peduncle in the cerebellomedullary fissure, the posterior part of the roof of the fourth ventricle, and the suboccipital (posterior) cerebellar surface [3, 8].