ABSTRACT
During a cadaveric dissection course, abnormalities of the infratentorial vasculature were noted. Following removal of the brain, the posterior cranial fossa showed the left labyrinthine artery splitting into two branches: one entered the internal auditory meatus (IAM) with the eighth cranial nerve, and the other pierced the petrous temporal bone just posterior to the IAM in the region of the subarcuate fossa. On the right side, the anterior inferior cerebellar artery formed a loop that was embedded in the dura just posterior to the IAM, but no vessels were seen entering the IAM. Further dissection into the petrous temporal bone showed the loop directed towards the region of the subarcuate fossa, and the injection of coloured latex confirmed fine arterial distribution of the latex on the surface of the deep part of the eighth cranial nerve. Eight other cadavers dissected in the same course did not show any such anomalies. Knowledge of these vascular variations is important for surgical exposure of the posterior cranial fossa
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