332 Neuroanatomy: Draw It to Know It
Cerebellar Arteries
Here, we will draw the cerebellar arterial supply. First,
draw three axial sections through the cerebellum at dif-
ferent heights: inferior, middle, and superior. Next, asso-
ciate each height with a brainstem level: the inferior
cerebellum neighbors the medulla, the middle cerebel-
lum borders the pons, and the superior cerebellum
neighbors the midbrain. Th ree arteries supply the cere-
bellum: the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA),
the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA), and the
superior cerebellar artery (SCA). First, show that the
PICA supplies the entire inferior cerebellum. Th en, fur-
ther indicate that it divides into lateral and medial
branches, which supply the lateral and medial regions of
the inferior cerebellum, respectively. Next, show that the
SCA supplies the superior cerebellum. Th en, further
indicate that it divides into lateral and medial branches
(similar to the PICA), which supply the lateral and
medial superior cerebellum, respectively. Lastly, show
that the middle cerebellum is supplied by all three cere-
bellar arteries: the AICA supplies the anterior, middle
cerebellum; the PICA supplies the posterior, middle cer-
ebellum, inferiorly; and the SCA supplies the posterior,
middle cerebellum, superiorly. Note that the AICA sup-
plies a large portion of the middle cerebellar peduncle,
and also note that it commonly gives off the internal
auditory artery, which supplies the inner ear.^1 – 4 , 9