AEMCA Practice Exam

Which cranial nerve is responsible for hearing and balance?

1. Facial nerve

2. Auditory nerve

3. Vagus nerve

4. Glossopharyngeal nerve

The correct answer is: Auditory nerve

The auditory nerve, also known as the vestibulocochlear nerve, is specifically responsible for transmitting sensory information related to hearing and balance from the inner ear to the brain. It plays a crucial role in processing sounds and maintaining equilibrium. The vestibular component of this nerve helps with balance, while the cochlear component is involved in hearing. In contrast, the other nerves listed have different functions: the facial nerve primarily controls facial expressions and serves other functions like taste sensations from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue; the vagus nerve is involved in autonomic functions such as heart rate and digestive processes; and the glossopharyngeal nerve has roles in taste and swallowing, as well as contributing to the sensory functions of the pharynx and tonsils. These distinctions underscore the specialized role of the auditory nerve in auditory and vestibular functions.