Vestibulocochlear nerve 243326 219079232 2008-06-13T13:51:22Z Bertrand Bellet 6560094 +fr: {{Infobox Nerve | Name = Vestibulocochlear nerve | Latin = | GraySubject = 203 | Image = Gray789.png | Caption = The course and connections of the [[facial nerve]] in the [[temporal bone]] | Innervates = | BranchFrom = | BranchTo = [[cochlear nerve]], [[vestibular nerve]] | MeshName = Vestibulocochlear+Nerve | MeshNumber = A08.800.800.120.910 | }} The '''vestibulocochlear nerve''' (also known as the '''auditory''' or '''acoustic nerve''') is the eighth of twelve [[cranial nerves]], and is responsible for transmitting sound and equilibrium (balance) information from the [[inner ear]] to the [[brain]]. ==Structure== This is the [[nerve]] along which the sensory cells (the [[hair cells]]) of the [[inner ear]] transmit information to the [[brain]]. It consists of the [[cochlear nerve]], carrying information about [[hearing (sense)|hearing]], and the [[vestibular nerve]], carrying information about [[balance]]. It emerges from the [[medulla oblongata]] and enters the inner [[skull]] via the [[internal acoustic meatus]] (or [[internal auditory meatus]]) in the [[temporal bone]], along with the [[facial nerve]]. ==Functions== The eighth cranial nerve has two prime roles. It is needed to convey information of vestibular sensation - that is, the position and movement of the [[head]]. Secondly, it is used for hearing. ==Innervations== The nerve splits into two large divisions - the [[cochlear nerve]] and the [[vestibular nerve]]. Broadly speaking, the cochlear nerve innervates the [[cochlea]], while the vestibular nerve goes to the [[vestibular apparatus]]. ==Physiology== How hearing information is coded on the nerve has long been a matter of scientific debate between two competing theories, a [[place theory (hearing)|place theory]] and a [[rate theory (hearing)|rate theory]]. ==Symptoms of damage== vertigo, false sense of motion, loss of equilibrium (dark places), nystagmus, motion sickness ==Name== Some older texts call the nerve the ''acoustic'' or ''auditory nerve'' [http://www.bartleby.com/107/203.html], but these terms have fallen out of widespread use because they fail to recognize the nerve's role in the vestibular system. ''Vestibulocochlear nerve'' is therefore preferred by most. ==Additional images== <gallery> Image:Gray689.png|Superficial dissection of brain-stem. Ventral view. Image:Gray705.png|Dissection showing the projection fibers of the cerebellum. Image:Gray719.png|Hind- and mid-brains; postero-lateral view. Image:Gray792.png|Upper part of medulla spinalis and hind- and mid-brains; posterior aspect, exposed in situ. Image:Gray922.png|Position of the right bony labyrinth of the ear in the skull, viewed from above. Image:ThreeNeuronArc.png |[[Vestibulo-ocular reflex]] </gallery> ==External links== * {{LoyolaMedEd|GrossAnatomy/h_n/cn/cn1/cn8.htm}} * {{NormanAnatomy|cranialnerves}} ({{NormanAnatomyFig|VIII}}) {{Cranial nerves}} [[Category:Peripheral nervous system]] [[Category:Cranial nerves]] [[Category:Auditory system]] [[Category:Vestibular system]] [[Category:Head and neck]] {{neuroscience-stub}} [[de:Nervus vestibulocochlearis]] [[es:Nervio auditivo]] [[fr:Nerf vestibulocochléaire]] [[it:Nervo vestibolococleare]] [[lt:Prieangio ir sraigės nervas]] [[nl:Nervus vestibulocochlearis]] [[ja:内耳神経]] [[no:Nervus vestibulocochlearis]] [[pl:Nerw przedsionkowo-ślimakowy]] [[pt:Nervo vestibulococlear]] [[sr:Тремно-пужни живац]] [[fi:Kuulo-tasapainohermo]] [[zh:前庭耳蝸神經]]