vestibular ganglion

anatomy

Also known as: Scarpa ganglion

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 29, 2026

Quick Summary

The vestibular ganglion is a cluster of nerve cells, specifically the cell bodies of sensory neurons, located within the internal acoustic meatus of the temporal bone. These neurons are part of the vestibular nerve, which is one of the two distinct parts of the vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII).12

The vestibular nerve's primary function is to transmit sensory information related to balance, equilibrium, and spatial orientation to the brain. Its sensory endings are situated in the semicircular canals, utricle, and saccule – structures within the inner ear responsible for detecting rotational and linear acceleration, as well as the pull of gravity. The central processes of these vestibular neurons then enter the brainstem.21

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

3 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

human nervous system
Vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII or 8)
…located in the vestibular (Scarpa) ganglion. The central processes of these neurons exit the temporal bone via the internal acoustic meatus and enter the brainstem alongside the facial nerve.
Read More
…located in the vestibular (Scarpa) ganglion. The central processes of these neurons exit the temporal bone via the internal acoustic meatus and enter the brainstem alongside the facial nerve.
Read More