Vestibular nerve

The **vestibular nerve** is the sensory nerve that conveys information from the inner ear's utricle, saccule, and semicircular canals to the brain, enabling the sense of balance, spatial orientation, and coordination of eye and body movements. It arises from the bipolar neurons of the vestibular ganglion (Scarpa's ganglion) and projects centrally to the vestibular nuclei in the brainstem[2][3][4][5]. Dysfunction or damage of the vestibular nerve results in vertigo, loss of balance, abnormal eye movements (nystagmus), and postural difficulties[2][5]. Its clinical significance is related to diagnosis and management of vestibular disorders and not as a pharmacological target in the sense of a classic receptor or enzyme[2][3][5].

Other names

Vestibular branch of vestibulocochlear nervePars vestibularis nervi vestibulocochlearisEighth cranial nerve (vestibular portion)CN VIII (vestibular portion)

Betahistine: histamine H3 antagonist/H1 agonist—improves microcirculation in the inner ear and promotes vestibular compensation[2] Aminoglycoside antibiotics (e.g., gentamicin): toxic—they irreversibly damage vestibular hair cells, leading to loss of function[2]