Cranial Nerves Flashcards

Study Notes

Olfactory Nerve (I): Responsible for smell; a special sensory nerve.
Optic Nerve (II): Responsible for eye vision; a special sensory nerve.
Oculomotor Nerve (III): Controls eye movement, pupil constriction, and lens adjustment; classified as a motor nerve.
Trochlear Nerve (IV): Responsible for eye movement; categorized as a motor nerve.
Trigeminal Nerve (V): Composed of three branches; classified as a mixed nerve.

V1 - Ophthalmic Division: Provides somatic sensory information from the upper face, including the eye and nose.
V2 - Maxillary Division: Supplies somatic sensory from the middle face, including the nose and upper mouth.
V3 - Mandibular Division: A mixed nerve providing sensory information from the lower face and mouth and motor control for chewing.

Abducens Nerve (VI): Controls lateral eye movement; classified as a motor nerve.
Facial Nerve (VII): A mixed nerve responsible for taste and facial sensation, as well as motor functions for facial expressions, tears, and salivation.
Vestibulocochlear Nerve (VIII): Sensory nerve responsible for hearing and equilibrium.
Glossopharyngeal Nerve (IX): A mixed nerve that facilitates swallowing, taste, gag reflex, blood pressure monitoring, and detection of dissolved gases in the blood.
Vagus Nerve (X): A mixed nerve that aids in the swallowing reflex and controls several visceral organs in the abdomen and thorax.

Spinal Accessory Nerve (XI): Controls the movement of neck and back muscles; classified as a motor nerve.
Hypoglossal Nerve (XII): Responsible for motor functions related to speech and swallowing.

Familiarize with the basic functions and classifications of all twelve cranial nerves, identifying their sensory or motor roles and specific areas they innervate.