Cranial Nerves and Cerebellum Flashcards

Study Notes

Cerebellum Vermis

The vermis connects the two hemispheres of the cerebellum, playing a crucial role in coordinating movements.

Cranial Nerve I - Olfactory

Sensory nerve responsible for the sense of smell.
Fibers pass through cribriform foramina of the ethmoid bone to synapse in the olfactory bulbs.

Cranial Nerve II - Optic

Sensory nerve involved in vision.
Fibers originate from the retina and travel through the optic canal of the sphenoid bone.
At the optic chiasma, fibers cross over to continue as optic tracts to the thalamus.
Final projections travel from the thalamus to the primary visual cortex via optic radiation.

Cranial Nerve III - Oculomotor

Motor nerve that controls most eye movements.
Fibers arise from the ventral midbrain and enter the orbit, exiting the skull through the superior orbital fissure.

Cranial Nerve IV - Trochlear

Motor nerve responsible for the movement of the superior oblique muscle of the eye.
Fibers emerge from the midbrain and exit through the superior orbital fissure.

Cranial Nerve V - Trigeminal

Mixed nerve with three divisions:
- Mandibular, which passes through foramen ovale in the sphenoid bone.
- Maxillary, which passes via foramen rotundum in the sphenoid bone.
- Ophthalmic, which exits through the superior orbital fissure of the sphenoid bone.
Responsible for facial sensation and motor functions like chewing.

Cranial Nerve VI - Abducens

Motor nerve that controls lateral eye movement.
Fibers leave the inferior region of the pons and exit the skull via the superior orbital fissure.

Cranial Nerve VII - Facial

Mixed nerve essential for facial expressions and taste sensations.
Fibers originate in the pons, travel through the temporal bone via the internal acoustic meatus, and exit through the stylomastoid foramen to innervate the face.

Cranial Nerve VIII - Vestibulocochlear

Sensory nerve responsible for hearing and balance.
Fibers originate in the inner ear, pass through the internal acoustic meatus, and enter the pons.

Cranial Nerve IX - Glossopharyngeal

Mixed nerve that plays a role in taste and swallowing.
Fibers emerge from the medulla and leave the skull via the jugular foramen, extending to the throat.

Cranial Nerve X - Vagus

Mixed nerve involved in involuntary control of heart, lungs, and digestive tract.
Fibers originate in the medulla, pass through the jugular foramen, and descend through the neck into the thorax and abdomen.

Cranial Nerve XI - Accessory

Mixed nerve that mainly has motor functions for neck movements.
Fibers arise from the medulla and the superior aspect of the spinal cord, traveling through the jugular foramen to reach neck and back muscles.

Cranial Nerve XII - Hypoglossal

Mixed nerve controlling tongue movements.
Fibers originate from the medulla and exit the skull via the hypoglossal canal to innervate the tongue muscles.

Description

Test your knowledge on cranial nerves and the cerebellum's vermis with this set of flashcards. Each card provides essential definitions and functions associated with these vital structures in the nervous system. Perfect for students looking to reinforce their understanding of neuroanatomy.