Which artery supplies the superior cerebellum and small penetrating branches to deeper cerebellar areas?

• A. Posterior cerebral artery
• B. Basilar artery
• C. Superior Cerebellar artery
• D. Anterior inferior cerebellar artery

Answer: (C)

The main concept is how the cerebellum is supplied by the vertebrobasilar system. The artery that reaches and nourishes the superior surface of the cerebellum and also sends small penetrating branches into the deeper cerebellar white matter and nuclei is the superior cerebellar artery. It arises from the basilar artery, curves around the midbrain, and distributes to the superior aspect of the cerebellum, with perforating branches to deeper cerebellar structures such as the deep white matter and nuclei.

Other arteries supply different cerebellar regions: the inferior surface is mainly fed by the posterior inferior cerebellar artery, and the anterior inferior surface by the anterior inferior cerebellar artery. The basilar trunk contributes to the cerebellum as a whole, but the specific territory described—superior cerebellar surface plus deep perforators—belongs to the superior cerebellar artery.