Cranial Nerves Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is the function of the Olfactory Nerve (I)?

Smell (correct)

Taste

Eye movement

Hearing

What does the Optic Nerve (II) primarily deal with?

Heart rate

Facial expressions

Eye vision (correct)

Balance

What are the functions of the Oculomotor Nerve (III)?

Eye movement, pupil constriction, lens adjustment

What type of nerve is the Trochlear Nerve (IV)?

Motor Signup and view all the answers

What type of nerve is the Trigeminal Nerve (V)?

Mixed Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the first branch of the Trigeminal Nerve?

Ophthalmic division Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the second branch of the Trigeminal Nerve?

Maxillary division Signup and view all the answers

What is notable about the Mandibular division (V3) of the Trigeminal Nerve?

Mixed nerve with sensory and motor functions Signup and view all the answers

What type of eye movement is controlled by the Abducens Nerve (VI)?

Lateral eye movement Signup and view all the answers

What are the functions of the Facial Nerve (VII)?

Taste, facial sensation, facial expressions, tears, nasal secretions, and salivation Signup and view all the answers

What senses does the Vestibulocochlear Nerve (VIII) control?

Hearing and equilibrium Signup and view all the answers

What are the functions of the Glossopharyngeal Nerve (IX)?

Motor for swallowing muscles and salivation; sensory for taste, gag reflex, monitoring of blood pressure and dissolved gases Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the Vagus Nerve (X)?

Control of visceral organs and swallowing reflex Signup and view all the answers

What type of movements does the Spinal Accessory Nerve (XI) control?

Movement of neck and back muscles Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the Hypoglossal Nerve (XII)?

Speech and swallowing Signup and view all the answers

What are cranial nerves?

Nerves that emerge directly from the brain Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Cranial Nerves Overview

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.

Trigeminal Nerve Branches

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.

Additional Cranial Nerves

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.

Motor Function Nerves

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.

Summary of Cranial Nerves

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