The spelling of "porus acusticus internus" might seem intimidating, but it's not as complicated as it looks. The word is pronounced /pɔːrəs əˈkʌstɪkəs ɪnˈtɜːnəs/, with each phoneme corresponding to a letter in the word. "Porus" is the Latin word for "opening," while "acusticus" relates to the ear, and "internus" means "inside." Altogether, "porus acusticus internus" is the anatomical term for an opening in the skull that leads to the inner ear. With proper pronunciation, this seemingly daunting word becomes easy to comprehend.
The term "porus acusticus internus" refers to a small, anatomical structure located in the inner ear, specifically within the petrous part of the temporal bone. Also known as the internal auditory meatus, it is a bony canal through which various important structures pass.
The porus acusticus internus serves as the entry point for the vestibulocochlear nerve, also known as the eighth cranial nerve. This nerve is responsible for transmitting auditory and vestibular (balance-related) information from the inner ear to the brain. Within the canal, the vestibulocochlear nerve splits into two branches – the cochlear nerve, which carries auditory signals, and the vestibular nerve, which transmits information related to balance and spatial orientation.
In addition to the vestibulocochlear nerve, other structures also traverse this canal. These include the labyrinthine artery, which is responsible for supplying blood to the inner ear structures, as well as some small veins. Collectively, these structures are protected within the porus acusticus internus, ensuring their safe passage and functioning.
The porus acusticus internus plays a crucial role in the auditory and vestibular systems, facilitating the transmission of information from the inner ear to the brain. Its precise anatomy and location make it a vital structure in the overall functioning of the hearing and balance mechanisms in the human body.
Internal acoustic or auditory pore orforamen, a large round irregular opening on the posterior surface of the pyramid, or petrous portion of the temporal bone, marking the inner termination of the internal auditory meatus.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.