Cerebellopontine angle

The cerebellopontine angle (CPA) (Latin: angulus cerebellopontinus) is located between the cerebellum and the pons.[1] The cerebellopontine angle is the site of the cerebellopontine angle cistern one of the subarachnoid cisterns that contains cerebrospinal fluid, arachnoid tissue, cranial nerves, and associated vessels. The cerebellopontine angle is also the site of a set of neurological disorders known as the cerebellopontine angle syndrome.

Cerebellopontine angle
Dissection showing the projection fibers of the cerebellum
Angle shown between cerebellum (bright green) and pons (beige) as it meets from the cerebrum
Details
Identifiers
LatinAngulus pontocerebellaris
MeSHD002530
NeuroNames544
TA98A14.1.05.004
TA25922
FMA84358
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy

Structure

The cerebellopontine angle is formed by the cerebellopontine fissure. This fissure is made when the cerebellum folds over to the pons, creating a sharply defined angle between them.[1] The angle formed in turn creates a subarachnoid cistern, the cerebellopontine angle cistern. The pia mater follows the outline of the fissure and the arachnoid mater continues across the divide so that the subarachnoid space is dilated at this area, forming the cerebellopontine angle cistern.

The anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) is the principal vessel of the cerebellopontine angle. It also contains two cranial nerves – the vestibulocochlear nerve and the facial nerve; the cerebellar flocculus and the lateral recess of the fourth ventricle.

Clinical significance

Tumours can arise in the cerebellopontine angle. Four out of five of these tumours are vestibular schwannomas (commonly known as acoustic neuromas).[2]

Others found include:

References
  1. Samii, Madjid; Gerganov, Venelin (2013). Surgery of Cerebellopontine Lesions. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. pp. 9–72. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-35422-9_2. ISBN 978-3-642-35421-2.
  2. Springborg, JB; Poulsgaard, L; Thomsen, J (July 2008). "Nonvestibular schwannoma tumors in the cerebellopontine angle: a structured approach and management guidelines". Skull Base. 18 (4): 217–27. doi:10.1055/s-2007-1016959. PMC 2467479. PMID 19119337.


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