Organum vestibulocochleare [auris]

The organum vestibulocochleare, is the sensory system responsible for the perception of sound and the maintenance of balance in vertebrates. It includes both the cochlear component, which governs auditory function, and the vestibular component, which regulates equilibrium and spatial orientation. Together, these structures form the Inner ear, located within the petrous part of the temporal bone. The external and middle ear structures help the sound perception by transmiting it to the cochlea.

The vestibulocochlear organ is housed within the bony labyrinth, which contains the membranous labyrinth.

The cochlea, a spirally coiled structure, contains the spiral organ, this is the principal sensory organ for hearing and is innervated by the cochlear nerve.

The vestibular portion of the organ comprises the utricle, saccule, and semicircular ducts. These structures detect head movements and orientation in three-dimensional space. Sensory information from these areas is transmitted by the vestibular nerve.