title: Arterial supply of the upper cranial nerves: a comprehensive review.
abstract: The arterial supply to the upper cranial nerves is derived from a complex network of branches derived from the anterior and posterior cerebral circulations. We performed a comprehensive literature review of the arterial supply of the upper cranial nerves with an emphasis on clinical considerations. Arteries coursing in close proximity to the cranial nerves regularly give rise to small vessels that supply the nerve. Knowledge of the arteries supplying the cranial nerves is of particular importance during surgical approaches to the skull base.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama.
authors.forename: Philipp
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hendrix
authors.forename: Christoph J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Griessenauer
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Foreman
authors.forename: Mohammadali M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Shoja
authors.forename: Marios
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Loukas
authors.forename: R Shane
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Tubbs
mesh_terms: D000010:Abducens Nerve / Q000098:blood supply*; D006801:Humans; D009802:Oculomotor Nerve / Q000098:blood supply*; D009832:Olfactory Nerve / Q000098:blood supply*; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000098:blood supply*; D014321:Trochlear Nerve / Q000098:blood supply*; D014795:Visual Pathways / Q000098:blood supply*
keywords: arterial supply; blood supply; cranial nerves