ear physiology

Question 1

NEURAL PATHWAYS

Answer 1

1. The cell bodies of 19,000 neurons innervating the cristae and the maculae on each side are located in the vestibular ganglion.
2. Each vestibular nerve terminates in the ipsilateral vestibular nucleus divided into four parts and in the flocculonodular lobe of the cerebellum.
3. The second order neurons leave the vestibular nuclei, descend in the medulla oblongata by the vestibulospinal bundles and ascend by the medial longitudinal bundle until the motor nuclei of the cranial nerves involved in the control of the ocular motricity.
4. Impulses coming from vestibular receptors relay in the thalamus before reaching the cerebral cortex.