Vestibulocochlear nerve

The 8th cranial nerve. It consists of 2 branches: the vestibular nerve (concerned with balance) and the cochlear nerve (concerned with hearing). Each vestibulocochlear nerve (1 on each side) carries sensory impulses from the inner ear to the brain, which it enters between the pons and medulla oblongata (in the brainstem). A tumour of the cells that surround the vestibulocochlear nerve (see acoustic neuroma) may cause loss of balance, tinnitus, and deafness. Deafness may also result from damage to the nerve, which may be due to an infection, such as meningitis or encephalitis, or to a reaction to a drug such as streptomycin.