Vessel
Superior cerebellar artery (SCA)
Upper cerebellar supply beside the rostral brainstem
High-yield
CN III usually emerges in the interval between PCA above and SCA below. SCA supplies much superior cerebellar tissue, including deep pathways related to the superior peduncle.
Overview
SCA usually branches close to the basilar termination and curves around the upper pons and midbrain. Its proximal course is below CN III, with later portions near IV and the trigeminal root. Branches reach superior cerebellar cortex, deep cerebellar tissue and selected brainstem regions. Duplicate trunks and alternative origins occur.
Reference facts
- Origin
- Usually distal basilar artery near its termination; duplicated trunks or an origin from PCA are recognized variants.
- Course
- Curves around the pontomesencephalic region, below III and then IV, before reaching the cerebellomesencephalic groove and superior cerebellar surface.
- Branches
- Perforating and precerebellar branches, with cortical trunks distributing to medial/vermis and lateral hemispheric regions.
- Supplies
- Much superior cerebellar cortex, dentate/deep cerebellar regions and superior peduncular pathways, with smaller upper pontine and midbrain territories.
Clinical correlation
SCA-territory infarction can cause same-sided limb incoordination, gait disturbance and dysarthria. SCA is also a frequent vessel involved in trigeminal neurovascular compression, but contact alone does not establish trigeminal neuralgia.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the superior cerebellar artery (SCA) originate?
Usually distal basilar artery near its termination; duplicated trunks or an origin from PCA are recognized variants.
What does the superior cerebellar artery (SCA) supply?
Much superior cerebellar cortex, dentate/deep cerebellar regions and superior peduncular pathways, with smaller upper pontine and midbrain territories.
What are the branches of the superior cerebellar artery (SCA)?
Perforating and precerebellar branches, with cortical trunks distributing to medial/vermis and lateral hemispheric regions.
What is the course of the superior cerebellar artery (SCA)?
Curves around the pontomesencephalic region, below III and then IV, before reaching the cerebellomesencephalic groove and superior cerebellar surface.