Posterior cochlear nucleus

The posterior cochlear nucleus is of the two terminal nuclei of the cochlear nerve, located on the surface of the inferior cerebellar peduncle. The other terminal nucleus of the cochlear nerve is the anterior cochlear nucleus.

Similar to the anterior nucleus, the posterior cochlear nucleus receives afferent inputs from the spiral ganglion of the cochlea via the cochlear nerve. This nucleus is involved in the early processing of auditory information and maintains the tonotopic organization of the auditory pathways. Axons from the posterior cochlear nucleus follow a similar trajectory to those of the anterior nucleus, traveling medially, relaying in the trapezoid body and superior olivary nucleus before ascending through the lateral lemniscus . These ascending fibers reach higher auditory centers, including the inferior colliculus and medial geniculate body, and subsequently project to the auditory cortex, supporting complex auditory processing.