Final answer:
The vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII) is a sensory nerve which carries equilibrium and auditory information from the inner ear to the brain.
Step-by-step explanation:
The vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII) is classified as a sensory nerve. This nerve is responsible for transmitting both equilibrium and auditory sensations from the inner ear to the brain. It is composed of two parts: the vestibular nerve, which carries information regarding balance (equilibrium), and the cochlear nerve, which transmits auditory (hearing) information. Both components emerge from the inner ear, pass through the internal auditory meatus, and synapse in their respective nuclei in the superior medulla.