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Blood Supply of the Inner Ear

Vasa auris internae

For medical students2 min readUpdated 2026-10-10

The vascular supply of the osseous and membranous labyrinth is derived from branches of the basilar system. The primary blood supply is provided by the labyrinthine artery, while venous drainage occurs via a complex system of veins emptying into the dural venous sinuses and the internal jugular vein.

SystemBranches of the basilar system

Main arteryLabyrinthine artery (*a. labyrinthi*)

EntryInternal acoustic meatus

Venous drainageInternal jugular vein and superior petrosal sinus

Arteries of the Inner Ear

The central vessel supplying the labyrinth is the labyrinthine artery (a. labyrinthi). Most commonly, it arises directly from the basilar artery (a. basilaris), although in some cases it may originate as a branch of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (a. cerebelli anterior inferior).

The labyrinthine artery enters the internal acoustic meatus (meatus acusticus internus), where it divides into two main branches:

Cochlear branch (r. cochlearis). This artery courses along the axis of the cochlea, giving off branches to the osseous spiral lamina and the spiral canal of the cochlea. Notably, the cochlear branch forms a dense network of cochlear arterial glomeruli (glomeruli arteriosi cochleae) located in the subepithelial layer of the scala vestibuli. The primary function of this branch is to supply the basilar membrane, the spiral organ (organum spirale), and the periosteum of the osseous labyrinth.
Vestibular branches (rr. vestibulares). These supply the membranous vestibule, including the utricle (utriculus), saccule (sacculus), and the ampullae of the semicircular ducts.

Additionally, small branches from the stylomastoid artery (a. stylomastoidea) reach the inner ear. They pass through the fenestra cochleae (round window) to contribute to the blood supply of the labyrinthine structures.

Venous Drainage

Deoxygenated venous blood from the inner ear structures is collected by the labyrinthine veins (vv. labyrinthi). Drainage occurs via several isolated pathways, each draining specific regions of the ear.

Major venous drainage pathways:

Vein of the cochlear canaliculus (v. canaliculi cochleae). It collects blood from the spiral lamina, spiral ligament, anterior and posterior parts of the spiral duct, as well as the utricle and saccule. The vessel courses directly through the cochlear canaliculus and drains into the internal jugular vein.
Vein of the vestibular aqueduct (v. aqueductus vestibuli). Formed by the convergence of veins from the semicircular ducts and the elliptic saccule (utricle), it runs through the petrous part of the temporal bone and empties into the superior petrosal sinus.
Spiral vein of the modiolus (v. spiralis modioli). This vein drains blood from the modiolus of the cochlea and subsequently empties into the labyrinthine venous system.
Vestibular veins (vv. vestibulares). These are small vascular branches that drain blood from the walls of the vestibule and also connect with the common labyrinthine veins.

Mnemonic

To remember the drainage destinations: The Cochlea (vein of the cochlear canaliculus) drains into the Internal Jugular vein, while the Vestibule (vein of the vestibular aqueduct) drains into the Petrosal (superior petrosal) sinus.

Frequently asked questions

Into which specific dural venous sinuses do the labyrinthine veins drain?

Among the venous pathways described in sources, the labyrinthine veins empty into the superior petrosal sinus as follows:

Vein of the vestibular aqueduct (v. aqueductus vestibuli) — empties into the superior petrosal sinus.
Vein of the cochlear canaliculus (v. canaliculi cochleae) — runs through the cochlear canaliculus and empties into the internal jugular vein.
Spiral vein of the modiolus (v. spiralis modioli) — empties into the labyrinthine veins.
Vestibular veins (vv. vestibulares) — connect with the labyrinthine veins.

Where does the labyrinthine artery originate?

In most cases, the labyrinthine artery is a branch of the basilar artery (a. basilaris). Less frequently, it arises from the anterior inferior cerebellar artery.

Through which opening does the labyrinthine artery enter the inner ear?

The vessel enters the labyrinthine structures via the internal acoustic meatus (meatus acusticus internus).

Which additional artery participates in the blood supply of the inner ear?

The stylomastoid artery (a. stylomastoidea). Its small branches reach the inner ear structures through the round window (fenestra cochleae).

Where does the vein of the cochlear canaliculus drain?

The vein of the cochlear canaliculus drains blood into the internal jugular vein.

Go deeper

Topography of the basilar circulatory system
Structure of the spiral organ and basilar membrane
Anatomy of the osseous and membranous labyrinths
Drainage pathways into the dural venous sinuses