Cranial Nerves

A patient reports difficulty in perceiving flavors on the posterior third of their tongue. Which cranial nerve is MOST likely affected?

Following a traumatic brain injury, a patient exhibits an inability to coordinate head movements with shoulder shrugs. Which of the following cranial nerves has MOST likely been compromised?

A neurologist observes that a patient's eyes cannot move laterally. Which cranial nerve is MOST likely impaired?

A patient presents with dysphagia and hoarseness after a surgical procedure. Which cranial nerve is MOST likely affected, considering its role in both swallowing and speech?

A patient is unable to constrict their pupils in response to bright light. Which cranial nerve is MOST likely affected?

Oculomotor Nerve (III)

Trigeminal Nerve (V)

There are twelve cranial nerves in the human body.
Each cranial nerve is responsible for specific functions.
These functions include sensory and motor control.

Olfactory Nerve (I)

This nerve is responsible for the sense of smell.

Optic Nerve (II)

This nerve is responsible for vision.

Oculomotor Nerve (III)

This nerve controls most eye movements.
It also controls blinking.
Pupil constriction is controlled by this nerve.

Trochlear Nerve (IV)

This nerve moves the eyes downward.
This nerve moves the eyes inward.

Trigeminal Nerve (V)

This nerve is responsible for facial sensation.
It controls chewing.

Abducens Nerve (VI)

This nerve moves the eyes laterally.
Lateral eye movement is side-to-side.

Facial Nerve (VII)

This nerve controls facial expressions.
It controls taste on the front two-thirds of the tongue.

Vestibulocochlear Nerve (VIII)

This nerve is responsible for hearing.
It is also responsible for balance.

Glossopharyngeal Nerve (IX)

This nerve controls swallowing.
It controls taste on the back third of the tongue.

Vagus Nerve (X)

This nerve controls parasympathetic functions.
Parasympathetic functions include heart rate and digestion.
Swallowing is controlled by this nerve.
Speech is controlled by this nerve.

Spinal Accessory Nerve (XI)

This nerve controls head movement.
Shoulder movement is also controlled.

Hypoglossal Nerve (XII)

This nerve moves the tongue.

There are twelve cranial nerves in the human body, each responsible for specific sensory and motor functions. These nerves include the olfactory nerve for smell, the optic nerve for vision, and the oculomotor nerve for eye movements and pupil constriction.