CN VIII: Vestibulocochlear Nerve

Question 1

What are the two branches of the vestibulocochlear nerve

Answer 1

Vestibular branch

Cochlear branch

Question 2

vestibular branch

Answer 2

• carries information from hair cells in the vestibular apparatus to nuclei in the pons/medulla.
• This information is crucial for perceiving movement of the head in space.

Question 3

cochlear branch

Answer 3

arises from neurons lying in the cochlear ganglion; they receive information from the hair cells in the ear and send it along to cochlear nuclei in the pons/medulla.

Question 4

What can result from damage to this nerve

Answer 4

produces tinnitus, decreased or total loss of hearing, nausea, and vertigo or disequilibrium.