Where are nuclei for the trigeminal, auditory and facial nerves found?

There are several nuclei for the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V). The spinal trigeminal nucleus, which is sensory, is located in the medulla oblongata and pons (i.e., the brainstem, rhombencephalon, or hindbrain), proximal and inferior to the autonomic motor nuclei. The trigeminal motor nucleus is exclusively found in the pons. The mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus, which is sensory, is found in the midbrain (i.e., mesencephalon).





Nucleus of the auitory nerve (cranial nerve VIII) arises at the lower pontine border, just exterior to the facial nuclei. The more lateral or posterior bundle is distributed to the cochlea, the true organ of hearing. The more anterior or mesial bundle supplies the semicircular canals (except the posterior), and its function is to convey the sense of equilibrium. The two bundles pass on opposite sides of the restiform body.





There are also several nuclei for the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII), known as the facial nuclei. The cell bodies for the afferent nerves are found in the geniculate ganglion for both taste and general afferent sensation. The cell bodies for muscular efferent nerves are found in the facial motor nucleus, whereas the cell bodies for the parasympathetic efferent nerves are found in the superior salivatory nucleus. The facial motor nucleus is located in the pons (i.e., in the hindbrain or rhombencephalon). The sensory part of the facial nerve arises from the nervus intermedius.