Arterial supply of the lower cranial nerves: A comprehensive review

Philipp Hendrix, Christoph J. Griessenauer, Paul Foreman, Marios Loukas, Winfield S. Fisher, Elias Rizk, Mohammadali M. Shoja, R. Shane Tubbs

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

The lower cranial nerves receive their arterial supply from an intricate network of tributaries derived from the external carotid, internal carotid, and vertebrobasilar territories. A contemporary, comprehensive literature review of the vascular supply of the lower cranial nerves was performed. The vascular supply to the trigeminal, facial, vestibulocochlear, glossopharyngeal, vagus, spinal accessory, and hypoglossal nerves are illustrated with a special emphasis on clinical issues. Frequently the external carotid, internal carotid, and vertebrobasilar territories all contribute to the vascular supply of an individual cranial nerve along its course. Understanding of the vasculature of the lower cranial nerves is of great relevance for skull base surgery. Clin. Anat. 27:108-117, 2014.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)108-117
Number of pages10
JournalClinical Anatomy
Volume27
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2014
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • arterial supply
  • blood supply
  • cranial nerves
  • neurosurgery
  • skull base

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Anatomy
  • Histology

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