The cerebellopontine angle is a region of the brainstem where the cerebellum and pons meet. It is named for its location at the junction of the cerebellum and pons, which are two parts of the brainstem.
What structures are in the cerebellopontine angle?
The cerebellopontine angle contains several important structures, including:
- VIIIth cranial nerve: The VIIIth cranial nerve, also known as the vestibulocochlear nerve, is responsible for hearing and balance.
- Vestibulocochlear nerve: The vestibulocochlear nerve is responsible for hearing and balance. It is made up of two parts: the cochlear nerve, which is responsible for hearing, and the vestibular nerve, which is responsible for balance.
- Abducens nerve: The abducens nerve is responsible for moving the eye outward.
- Facial nerve: The facial nerve is responsible for controlling the muscles of facial expression.
- Glossopharyngeal nerve: The glossopharyngeal nerve is responsible for taste, swallowing, and gag reflex.
- Vagus nerve: The vagus nerve is responsible for a variety of functions, including swallowing, speaking, and heart rate.
What nerves are affected by cerebellopontine angle?
The VIIIth cranial nerve is the most commonly affected nerve in the cerebellopontine angle. Other nerves that can be affected include the abducens nerve, facial nerve, glossopharyngeal nerve, and vagus nerve.
What are the symptoms of cerebellopontine angle mass?
A mass in the cerebellopontine angle can cause a variety of symptoms, including:
- Hearing loss: This is the most common symptom of a cerebellopontine angle mass.
- Dizziness: This can be caused by damage to the vestibular nerve.
- Double vision: This can be caused by damage to the abducens nerve.
- Facial paralysis: This can be caused by damage to the facial nerve.
- Throat pain: This can be caused by damage to the glossopharyngeal nerve.
- Changes in heart rate or swallowing difficulty: This can be caused by damage to the vagus nerve.