The vestibulocochlear nerve (VIII)

Diagn Interv Imaging. 2013 Oct;94(10):1043-50. doi: 10.1016/j.diii.2013.08.015. Epub 2013 Oct 1.

Abstract

The vestibulocochlear nerve (8th cranial nerve) is a sensory nerve. It is made up of two nerves, the cochlear, which transmits sound and the vestibular which controls balance. It is an intracranial nerve which runs from the sensory receptors in the internal ear to the brain stem nuclei and finally to the auditory areas: the post-central gyrus and superior temporal auditory cortex. The most common lesions responsible for damage to VIII are vestibular Schwannomas. This report reviews the anatomy and various investigations of the nerve.

Keywords: Cranial nerves; Pathology; Vestibulocochlear nerve (VIII).

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Auditory Cortex / pathology
  • Auditory Pathways / pathology
  • Brain Stem / pathology
  • Cochlear Nucleus / pathology
  • Cranial Nerve Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Cranial Nerve Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Ear, Inner / innervation
  • Humans
  • Image Enhancement*
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Neuroma, Acoustic / diagnosis
  • Neuroma, Acoustic / pathology
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Vestibular Nuclei / pathology
  • Vestibulocochlear Nerve / pathology*
  • Vestibulocochlear Nerve Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Vestibulocochlear Nerve Diseases / pathology*