Vestibulocochlear nerve root (CN VIII)

Radix nervi vestibulocochlearis

NervousOrgansHead

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What it is
Enters the brainstem at the cerebellopontine angle just behind the facial nerve, beside the flocculus of the cerebellum. Shown as a short stub on both sides; the nerve continues in the peripheral nervous system.
Function
Carries hearing and balance from the inner ear.
Size
Stub about 1 cm; root 3.4 mm thick
Clinical note
Vestibular schwannoma (acoustic neuroma) grows from its vestibular part: one-sided hearing loss and tinnitus are the first signs.

Nearby nervous structures Abducens nerve root (CN VI), Accessory nerve root (CN XI), Facial nerve root (CN VII), Fourth ventricle, Glossopharyngeal nerve root (CN IX), Medulla oblongata, Pons, Trigeminal nerve root (CN V), Trochlear nerve root (CN IV), Vagus nerve root (CN X)