Cochlear nerve
Nervus cochlearis
Definition
The cochlear nerve is one of the terminal branches of the vestibulocochlear nerve (along with the vestibular nerve). It is the nerve of hearing and the dorsal root of the vestibulocochlear nerve.
Sensory, motor, or both : sensory
Origin : lateral edge of the medulla oblongata, near the end of the trapezoid body
Route / Reports : fundus of internal acoustic meatus, dorsal to the vestibular nerve
Distribution : spiral organ
Description :
The cochlear nerve originates, along with the vestibular nerve, from the vestibulocochlear nerve, when the latter passes through the cochlear area at the fundus of internal acoustic meatus. Together, they form the dorsal root of the vestibulocochlear nerve. The cochlear nerve then travels along one of the longitudinal canals of the modiolus to reach the spiral organ, then joins the spiral ganglion of the cochlea, located near the inner edge of the osseous spiral lamina.
References
Constantinescu GM, Schaller O. Illustrated veterinary anatomical nomenclature. 3rd Edition. Enke Verlag, Stuttgart, 2012.
Barone R, Simoens P. Anatomie comparée des mammifères domestiques, Tome 7, Neurologie II, Vigot, Paris, 2010.
