[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Head and neck](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/head-and-neck/) › Cerebellar arteries [Cardiovascular system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/cardiovascular-system/) · [Head and neck](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/head-and-neck/) # Cerebellar arteries The three cerebellar arteries on each side feed the cerebellum and parts of the brainstem, which control balance and coordination. Official name: Superior cerebellar artery [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=head_neck&select=cerebellar_arteries&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is Three pairs of arteries from the vertebral and basilar arteries. ## What it does Feed the cerebellum and parts of the brainstem; a PICA stroke causes the lateral medullary syndrome. ## Key points - PICA or vertebral occlusion: lateral medullary (Wallenberg) syndrome, with loss of pain and temperature on the same side of the face and the opposite side of the body - Wallenberg also gives vertigo, same-side Horner syndrome and ataxia, hoarseness and trouble swallowing (nucleus ambiguus), but no limb weakness: the pyramids are spared - AICA: lateral pontine syndrome, similar but with same-side facial weakness and hearing loss (its labyrinthine branch) - Cerebellar infarcts can swell and compress the [fourth ventricle](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/fourth-ventricle/) and brainstem, causing hydrocephalus; some need urgent surgical decompression ## Key facts **Origin** SCA and AICA from the basilar; PICA from the vertebral **Branches** Hemispheric and vermian branches; AICA gives the labyrinthine artery (often) **Supplies** PICA: lateral medulla, inferior [vermis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/central-lobule/), tonsil, fourth-ventricle [choroid plexus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/choroid-plexus/) (lateral medullary syndrome); AICA: anterior inferior cerebellum, middle peduncle, lower lateral pons, inner ear; SCA: upper cerebellum, superior peduncle, inferior colliculus ## Relations **Course** PICA leaves the [vertebral artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/vertebral-artery/) beside the olive and winds round the medulla to the lower [cerebellum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/anterior-quadrangular-lobule/); AICA leaves the lower basilar for the cerebellopontine angle; the superior cerebellar artery leaves the upper basilar and winds round the [pons](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/pons/) to the upper surface **Above** Superior cerebellar artery: separated from the [posterior cerebral artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/posterior-cerebral-artery/) by the [oculomotor nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/oculomotor-nerve/); a loop can touch the [trigeminal nerve](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/trigeminal-nerve/) root **Lateral** AICA: the facial and vestibulocochlear nerves at the cerebellopontine angle, often with a loop toward the [internal acoustic meatus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/internal-acoustic-meatus/) **Below** PICA: rootlets of the glossopharyngeal, vagus, accessory and hypoglossal nerves, and the cerebellar tonsil ## How to find it None can be felt. The superior cerebellar artery runs just below the [tentorium](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/tentorium-cerebelli/), under the oculomotor nerve; the anterior inferior artery loops near the facial and vestibulocochlear nerves at the internal acoustic meatus; the posterior inferior artery winds around the medulla among the lower cranial nerves. The retrosigmoid approach exposes all three. ## Examination - HINTS in acute continuous vertigo: a normal head impulse, nystagmus that changes direction or a skew deviation points to a central (stroke) cause - Same-side cerebellar signs: finger–nose and heel–shin ataxia, dysdiadochokinesia; truncal ataxia when sitting or standing ## On imaging Diffusion-weighted MRI is the test of choice; CT often misses early infarcts in the posterior fossa. ## Clinical notes - A loop of the superior cerebellar artery pressing on the trigeminal root is the classic cause of trigeminal neuralgia; microvascular decompression moves it away - Vertebral artery dissection, sometimes after neck trauma or manipulation, often presents as a PICA-territory stroke with neck pain - Isolated vertigo can be the only sign of a cerebellar stroke ## Anatomical variants - PICA is often small or absent, with AICA supplying its territory (AICA–PICA dominance) - PICA can arise outside the skull, below the [foramen magnum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/foramen-magnum/) ## Memory aid Wallenberg: "Don't PICA horse (hoarseness) that can't eat (dysphagia)". ## Related conditions - [Trigeminal neuralgia](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/trigeminal-neuralgia/) ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## Which cerebellar artery is involved in lateral medullary (Wallenberg) syndrome, and what is the sensory pattern? PICA (or the vertebral artery): loss of pain and temperature on the same side of the face and the opposite side of the body. ## Why is there no limb weakness in Wallenberg syndrome? The pyramids are spared; signs are vertigo, same-side Horner and ataxia, hoarseness and dysphagia (nucleus ambiguus). ## How does an AICA stroke differ from a PICA stroke? AICA gives a lateral pontine syndrome: similar, but with same-side facial weakness and hearing loss (labyrinthine branch). ## Which cerebellar artery classically causes trigeminal neuralgia? The superior cerebellar artery, whose loop presses on the trigeminal root; microvascular decompression moves it away. [Add to my cards (4)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/superior-cerebellar-artery/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** arteria superior cerebelli TA2 4563 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Arterias cerebelosas superior, anteroinferior y posteroinferior **English (TA2)** Superior cerebellar artery **Also called** arteria cerebellaris superior · sCA ## Related - [Cerebellum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/anterior-quadrangular-lobule/) - [Vermis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/central-lobule/) - [Medulla oblongata](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/medulla-oblongata/) Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [Neuroanatomy, Anterior Inferior Cerebellar Arteries](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448167/); [Neuroanatomy, Vertebrobasilar System](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK540995/). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/superior-cerebellar-artery/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/superior-cerebellar-artery/