Fibre Population of the Vestibulocochlear Anastomosis in Humans

Abstract

The vestibulocochlear anastomosis in the adult human was studied by light and electron microscopy. It was found to contain both myelinated and unmyelinated axons. The number of myelinated axons ranged from 223 to 695, with a mean of 360, while the unmyelinated axons varied from 638 to 1453, with a mean of 1005. The ratio of unmyelinated to myelinated axons varied from 2.1 to 4.4, with a mean of 3.0.

Key Words:

• Olivocochlear fibres
• electron microscopy
• acetylcholinesterase
• number of fibres