Anatomy
Summary
The vestibulocochlear nerve or cranial nerve VIII (CN VIII) has two primary components: the vestibular and the cochlear. It originates at the pontomedullary junction. Along with the facial nerve (CN VII), the vestibulocochlear nerve travels through the posterior fossa and into the inner ear via the internal acoustic meatus.
In terms of function, the vestibulocochlear nerve conveys special sensory information. The cochlear branch is responsible for hearing, while the vestibular branch transmits sensory information from the utricle and the saccule, aiding in the perception of linear and gravitational forces. It also receives input from the cristae of the ampullae in the semicircular canals to detect rotational forces.
Lesson Outline
Don't stop here!
Get access to 51 more Anatomy lessons & 13 more medical school learning courses with one subscription!
FAQs
The vestibulocochlear nerve is primarily responsible for hearing and balance. It has two components: the cochlear nerve which transmits sound input, and the vestibular nerve which conveys balance and position information from the semicircular canals.
The vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII) and the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) both travel through the posterior fossa and into the inner ear via the internal acoustic meatus.
The cochlear nerve is the component of cranial nerve VIII that handles auditory sensory information. It receives input from hair cells in the cochlea, which is then relayed to the brain to be interpreted as sound. The vestibular nerve conveys information about balance and spatial orientation from specialized sensors in the semicircular canals and the otolith organs in the inner ear.
MCAT® is a registered trademark of the Association of American Medical Colleges. The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE®) is a joint program of the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB®) and National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME®). NAPLEX® is a registered trademark of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. PANCE© is a registered trademark of the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. NCLEX® is a registered trademark and service mark of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. None of the trademark holders are endorsed by nor affiliated with Sketchy or this website.
