7. Cranial Nerve I-VI Flashcards
How many cranial nerves are there and what nervous system are they a part of?
12, part of the PNS
Where do the cranial nerves originate from?
Brainstem (except for 2 which arise from the forebrain)
What do the cranial nerves supply?
All supply structures in the head and neck, Vagus also supplies structures in the thorax and abdomen
How are the cranial nerves numbered?
Relates to order that they arise rostral to caudal
What is the brainstem?
Adjoins the brain to the spinal cord. Continuous with spinal cord caudally. Ascending sensory and descending motor fibres between brain and rest of body run through the brainstem
What neurones make up the cranial nerves?
- some are mixed
- some are entirely sensory
- some are entirely motor
- some will carry parasympathetic function
signs and symptoms from structures innervated by cranial nerves can arise due to injury or lesion involving which areas?
1) The cranial nerve during its route outside of the CNS
2) The brainstem (where CN nuclei are located)
3) The tracts within forebrain which communicate with cranial nerves
What is the cranial nerve topography?
2 2 4 4
2 - forebrain
2 - midbrain
4 - pons
4 - medulla
Which cranial nerves are not ‘true’ cranial nerve and why?
The first 2 cranial nerves, they are paired anterior extensions of the forebrain rather than a true cranial nerve
What is cranial nerve I?
Olfactory
What is the path of cranial nerve I?
olfactory nerves in Roof of nasal cavity → Cribriform foramina → Olfactory bulb → Olfactory tract → Temporal lobe
what is CN 1 an extension of?
forebrain
Which part of the brain do to the first cranial nerves go to?
Uncus of the temporal lobes
What type of fibres do the first cranial nerves have?
(Special) sensory fibres
How is CN1 function tested?
Not routinely tested in cranial nerve exam(if tested: one nostril at a time)
? Absence or reduced sense of smell = anosmia/hyposmia .
What is the most common and other causes of anosmia?
Upper respiratory tract infection (cold) is most common cause.
Head/facial injury- impact
Anterior cranial fossa tumours
…associations with Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease
How might head injury cause anosmia?
Secondary to shearing forces and/or basilar skull fracture
anterior to posterior displacement of brain in skull
how might URT cause anosmia?
causes respiratory mucosa lining to become swollen and interferes with chemical odours being able to reach olfactory nerves
What is the second cranial nerve?
Optic
What type of fibres are in the optic nerves?
Special sensory
What are impulses in the second cranial nerve generated by?
generated by cells within retina in response to light: generates action potentials which propagate along optic nerve
Where are the impulses from the second cranial nerves sent?
Primary visual cortex in the occipital lobe.
What is the path of the second cranial nerve?
Retinal ganglion cells → Axons form optic nerve → exits back of orbit via optic canal → Fibres cross and merge at optic chiasm → Optic tracts
What happens at the optic chiasm?
Mixing of sensory fibres from right and left optic nerves
Give examples of different visual lesions.
retinal detachment, optic neuritis, pituitary tumour, stroke
What lesion is a common cause of optic chiasm compression and what type of visual impairment does it cause?
Pituitary tumour, causes bitemporal hemianopia
What is bitemporal hemianopia?
vision is missing in the outer half of both the right and left visual field
What tests can be done to measure function of second cranial nerve?
Pupillary size and response to light
Visual acuity (Snellen Chart) and visual fields
Ophthalmoscopy
What is the optic disc?
Point at which nerve enters the retina
Why is the second cranial nerve affected when ICP rises and what does this cause?
Optic nerve is an extension of the forebrain so has extension of meninges, and has ECF in subarachnoid space. Increased intracranial pressure increases pressure in subarachnoid space so can squash the optic nerve. Causes papillodema.
How may lesions of optic nerve present?
On clinical examination –
• Abnormalities in pupil size and response to light (may be very subtle
• Poor visual acuity
• Evidence of pathology involving the optic nerve that is visible on ophthalmoscopy
What may cause optic nerve lesions?
Any disease involving optic nerve e.g optic neuritis, AION
What is AION?
anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy - optic nerve starved of blood supply and function affected e.g temporal arthritis which affects superficial temporal artery and any branches of ECA and some if ICA which includes ophthalmic artery
What is optic neuritis?
inflammation affecting optic nerve - deterioration in visual function - temporary
Why is there communication between optic tracts and brainstem(midbrain)?
allow certain visual reflexes e.g. pupillary reflexes to light
WHat is the difference in visual loss if optic chiasm affected compared to optic nerve?
optic nerve - only affects eye involved
optic chiasm - affects both eyes as mixing of fibres from left and right eye
What is papilloedema?
Swollen optic disc
Why is there photophobia in meningitis?
Irritation of the meninges around the optic nerve.
What is the third cranial nerve?
Oculomotor
What is the path of the third cranial nerve?
Midbrain → cavernous sinus → Superior orbital fissure → Muscles of eye