Anterior cochlear nucleus

The anterior cochlear nucleus is one of the two terminal nuclei of the cochlear nerve, located on the surface of the inferior cerebellar peduncle. Upon entering the lower pons, fibers of the cochlear nerve divide into two branches: one enters the anterior cochlear nucleus, while the other enters the posterior cochlear nucleus.

The anterior cochlear nucleus receives afferent fibers transmitting auditory signals from the organ of Corti via the cochlear nerve. These signals are organized tonotopically, preserving the frequency-specific structure of the organ of Corti. Axons emanating from the anterior cochlear nucleus travel medially through the pons, contributing to the auditory pathway by synapsing in the trapezoid body and the superior olivary nucleus, both ipsilaterally and contralaterally. These fibers ascend further through the lateral lemniscus, maintaining connections with higher auditory processing centers, such as the inferior colliculus and medial geniculate body, eventually projecting to the auditory cortex.