RESUMO
Objective To study the relation between the trigeminal nerve and the superior cerebellar artery. Methods The authors dissected 20 cadaver skulls (40 sides):we firstly opened the calvaria and cleaned the cerebrum, then opened the tentorium of cerebellum and observed the relation between the trigeminal nerve and the superior cerebellar artery, as well as measured the distance between them, finally inspected the trend of the superior cerebellar artery. Results In the study the nearest blood vessel to the trigeminal nerve was the superior cerebellar artery, with a distance of 0～8 1 mm (mean, 2 19 mm). All the superior cerebellar arteries had rostral and caudal branches. Approximate 47 5% of the superior cerebellar arteries (19/40) crossed with trigeminal nerves, and in 87 5% of the superior cerebellar arteries (35/40) the closest site to the trigeminal nerve was the junction of the main trunk and the rostral or caudal branches. Conclusions The superior cerebella artery usually gives off rostral and caudal trunks. The junction of the main trunk and the rostral or caudal branches is nearest to the trigeminal nerve.