<P> The vestibular nerve travels from the vestibular system of the inner ear . The vestibular ganglion houses the cell bodies of the bipolar neurons and extends processes to five sensory organs . Three of these are the cristae located in the ampullae of the semicircular canals . Hair cells of the cristae activate afferent receptors in response to rotational acceleration . The other two sensory organs supplied by the vestibular neurons are the maculae of the saccule and utricle . Hair cells of the maculae in the utricle activate afferent receptors in response to linear acceleration while hair cells of the maculae in the saccule respond to vertically directed linear force . </P> <P> The vestibulocochlear nerve is derived from the embryonic otic placode . </P> <P> This is the nerve along which the sensory cells (the hair cells) of the inner ear transmit information to the brain . It consists of the cochlear nerve, carrying information about hearing, and the vestibular nerve, carrying information about balance . It emerges from the pontomedullary junction and exits the inner skull via the internal acoustic meatus (or internal auditory meatus) in the temporal bone . </P> <P> The vestibulocochlear nerve carries axons of type SSA, special somatic afferent, which carry the modalities of hearing and equilibrium . </P>

Where does the vestibulocochlear nerve exit the skull