Lab 10

Cranial Nerve VIII - Vestibulocochlear Nerve

Lab 10, Page 17 of 43

The auditory (cochlear) nerve fibers of the vestibulocochlear (VIII) nerve end in the cochlear nuclear complex. The auditory nerve fibers innervate the receptor cells in the cochlea. Damage to the auditory nerve results in deafness.

The vestibular nerve fibers of the vestibulocochlear (VIII) nerve end in the vestibular nuclear complex. The vestibular nerve fibers innervate the receptor cells in the semicircular canal cristae and the maculae of the utricle and saccule. Unilateral damage of a vestibular nerve results in severe symptoms of vertigo, nystagmus, and visceromotor responses such as nausea, vomiting, and tachycardia - all of which diminish with time.

Clinical test of Cranial Nerve VIII

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