Definition of Eighth cranial nerve

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Eighth cranial nerve: The eighth cranial nerve is the vestibulocochlear nerve.

The vestibulocochlear nerve is responsible for the sense of hearing and it is also pertinent to balance, to the body position sense.

Problems with the vestibulocochlear nerve may result in deafness, tinnitus (ringing or noise in the ears), dizziness, vertigo and vomiting.

The 12 cranial nerves, the vestibulocochlear nerve included, emerge from or enter the skull (the cranium), as opposed to the spinal nerves which emerge from the vertebral column.