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An anatomical study of the vestibulocochlear anastomosis (anastomosis of Oort) in humans: preliminary results

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Abstract

Von Oort first described the vestibulocochlear anastomosis in 1918, and there have been very few anatomical studies of it. It is located at the bottom of the internal auditory meatus and links the saccular nerve to the cochlear nerve. The aim of this study was to investigate the micro-anatomical characteristics of this anastomosis. We dissected 10 human temporal bones from five heads. We found the vestibulocochlear anastomosis in seven of the specimens, of which six were clearly visible. We were unable to uncover it in three specimens due to dissection problems. Its length was evaluated to be between 0.5 and 1 mm, with a diameter of 0.5 mm. The vestibulocochlear anastomosis could be the pathway for the nerve fibers of the cochlear efferent system, whose description remains incomplete. However, no anatomist, histologist or physiologist has demonstrated this function. From the results of this study, it seems likely that the vestibulocochlear anastomosis exists. Other studies are necessary to link it to the efferent system.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. ENT Department, Robert Debré Hospital, CHU Reims, Avenue du Général Koenig, 51092, Reims cedex, France

    M. Labrousse, M. Levêque & A. Chays

  2. Anatomy Laboratory, Medical School, 51 rue Cognac-Jay, 51095, Reims cedex, France

    T. Ouedraogo, C. Avisse & J.-F. Delattre

Authors
  1. M. Labrousse
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  2. M. Levêque
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  3. T. Ouedraogo
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  4. C. Avisse
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  5. A. Chays
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  6. J.-F. Delattre
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. Labrousse.

Additional information

This study was carried out in the postgraduate DEA course “Quantitative biomorphology and variability of the human form” at the University of Paris V, Paris, France

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Labrousse, M., Levêque, M., Ouedraogo, T. et al. An anatomical study of the vestibulocochlear anastomosis (anastomosis of Oort) in humans: preliminary results. Surg Radiol Anat 27, 238–242 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-005-0320-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-005-0320-0

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