Blue boxes: Cranial Nerves

Question 1

If there is a lesion that irritates the lateral olfactory area or a lesion in the temporal lobe, what can result?

Answer 1

Olfactory hallucinations; imaginary odors

Question 2

Why are the optic nerves susceptible to demyelinating diseases?

Answer 2

Because they are CNS tracts, and they are surrounded by oligodendrocytes which are affected in diseases such as MS

Question 3

What is optic neuritis? What does it result in?

Answer 3

Lesions of the optic nerve that results in diminished visual acuity

Question 4

Which nerve can be affected by an aneurysm to the posterior cerebral or superior cerebellar artery or injuries or infections of the cavernous sinus?

Answer 4

oculomotor nerve

Question 5

Describe dental anesthesia

Answer 5

Anesthetic block is administered near the roots of the teeth in order to affect the inferior alveolar nerve and cause numbness to the teeth

Question 6

What are ways in which the abducens nerve can be paralyzed?

Answer 6

1. brain tumor
2. aneurysm of the cerebral arterial circle at the base of the brain
3. atherosclerotic internal carotid in the cavernous sinus
4. septic thrombosis of the cavernous sinus

Question 7

What is an acoustic neuroma

Answer 7

slow growing benign tumor of the schwann cells; begins with the vestibulocochlear nerve in the internal acoustic meatus

Question 8

What is vertigo, nausea and vomiting usually caused b?

Answer 8

Peripheral vestibular nerve lesion