Biomaterial Database

Cochlear nucleus anatomy related to central electroauditory prosthesis implantation. 1990

L I Terr, and J Fayad, and W E Hitselberger, and R Zakhary

House Ear Institute, Los Angeles, CA 90057.

The central electroauditory prosthesis is now used to stimulate the cochlear nuclei to obtain auditory perception in patients with bilateral cochlear nerve transection who are undergoing bilateral acoustic tumor removal. In this study, we used fixed cadaver specimens to identify visible landmarks for accurate placement of the central electroauditory prosthesis through a combined suboccipital-translabyrinthine opening. Histologic features of the regions of probable implantation of the central electroauditory prosthesis were also investigated. We found that the following landmarks might have surgical significance: (1) the tenia of the inferior velum of the fourth ventricle, which crosses the surface of the ventral cochlear nucleus and the vestibulocochlear nerve; (2) the angle between the vestibulocochlear and glossopharyngeal nerves; and (3) the foramen of Luschka. It is suggested that an incision be made in the tenia for insertion of the prosthesis into the lateral recess and eventual placement on the ventral cochlear nucleus surface. To study regions of potential stimulation, we injected ink into different sites on the exposed surface of the cochlear nuclei. We then histologically examined neuronal populations adjacent to the sites. We found that a portion of the ventral cochlear nucleus localized within the lateral recess might be the most appropriate location for placement of the central electroauditory prosthesis.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D003051	Cochlea	The part of the inner ear (LABYRINTH) that is concerned with hearing. It forms the anterior part of the labyrinth, as a snail-like structure that is situated almost horizontally anterior to the VESTIBULAR LABYRINTH.	Cochleas
D003054	Cochlear Implants	Electronic hearing devices typically used for patients with normal outer and middle ear function, but defective inner ear function. In the COCHLEA, the hair cells (HAIR CELLS, VESTIBULAR) may be absent or damaged but there are residual nerve fibers. The device electrically stimulates the COCHLEAR NERVE to create sound sensation.	Auditory Prosthesis,Cochlear Prosthesis,Implants, Cochlear,Auditory Prostheses,Cochlear Implant,Cochlear Prostheses,Implant, Cochlear,Prostheses, Auditory,Prostheses, Cochlear,Prosthesis, Auditory,Prosthesis, Cochlear
D005930	Glossopharyngeal Nerve	The 9th cranial nerve. The glossopharyngeal nerve is a mixed motor and sensory nerve; it conveys somatic and autonomic efferents as well as general, special, and visceral afferents. Among the connections are motor fibers to the stylopharyngeus muscle, parasympathetic fibers to the parotid glands, general and taste afferents from the posterior third of the tongue, the nasopharynx, and the palate, and afferents from baroreceptors and CHEMORECEPTOR CELLS of the carotid sinus.	Cranial Nerve IX,Ninth Cranial Nerve,Cranial Nerve IXs,Cranial Nerve, Ninth,Cranial Nerves, Ninth,Glossopharyngeal Nerves,Nerve, Glossopharyngeal,Nerve, Ninth Cranial,Nerves, Glossopharyngeal,Nerves, Ninth Cranial,Ninth Cranial Nerves
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000159	Vestibulocochlear Nerve	The 8th cranial nerve. The vestibulocochlear nerve has a cochlear part (COCHLEAR NERVE) which is concerned with hearing and a vestibular part (VESTIBULAR NERVE) which mediates the sense of balance and head position. The fibers of the cochlear nerve originate from neurons of the SPIRAL GANGLION and project to the cochlear nuclei (COCHLEAR NUCLEUS). The fibers of the vestibular nerve arise from neurons of Scarpa's ganglion and project to the VESTIBULAR NUCLEI.	Cranial Nerve VIII,Eighth Cranial Nerve,Cochleovestibular Nerve,Statoacoustic Nerve,Cochleovestibular Nerves,Cranial Nerve VIIIs,Cranial Nerve, Eighth,Cranial Nerves, Eighth,Eighth Cranial Nerves,Nerve VIIIs, Cranial,Nerve, Cochleovestibular,Nerve, Eighth Cranial,Nerve, Statoacoustic,Nerve, Vestibulocochlear,Nerves, Cochleovestibular,Nerves, Eighth Cranial,Nerves, Statoacoustic,Nerves, Vestibulocochlear,Statoacoustic Nerves,VIIIs, Cranial Nerve,Vestibulocochlear Nerves