Cranial and Spinal Nerves Flashcards
How many pairs of Cranial Nerve are there?
12
How many pairs of Spinal Nerve are there?
31
List the 12 Cranial Nerves in order.
- Olfactory (I) – Smell
- Optic (II) – Vision
- Oculomotor (III) – Eye movement
- Trochlear (IV) – Eye movement
- Trigeminal (V) – Facial sensation & chewing
- Abducens (VI) – Eye movement
- Facial (VII) – Facial expressions & taste
- Vestibulocochlear (VIII) – Hearing & balance
- Glossopharyngeal (IX) – Taste & swallowing
- Vagus (X) – Controls heart, lungs, digestion
- Accessory (XI) – Neck & shoulder movement
- Hypoglossal (XII) – Tongue movement
List the 5 Groups of Spinal Nerves.
- Cervical (C1-C8): Neck, shoulders, arms, hands
- Thoracic (T1-T12): Chest, upper abdomen
- Lumbar (L1-L5): Lower back, hips, legs
- Sacral (S1-S5): Pelvis, lower limbs
- Coccygeal (Co1): Tailbone sensation
Which cranial nerve is responsible for detecting smell?
Olfactory Nerve (CN I)
A patient comes to the clinic complaining that they can’t smell their food or perfume. Which cranial nerve might be affected?
Olfactory Nerve (CN I)
Which cranial nerve transmits visual information to the brain?
Optic Nerve (CN II)
A person has difficulty reading signs from a distance and reports blurry vision. Which cranial nerve is likely involved?
Optic Nerve (CN II)
Which cranial nerve controls most eye movements?
Oculomotor Nerve (CN III)
A patient has trouble opening their eyes and their pupils remain dilated. Which cranial nerve might be damaged?
Oculomotor Nerve (CN III)
Which cranial nerve controls the superior oblique muscle of the eye?
*eye downward and inward
Trochlear Nerve (CN IV)
A person is unable to look downward while reading a book or walking downstairs. Which cranial nerve is affected?
Trochlear Nerve (CN IV)
Which cranial nerve is responsible for eyes, facial, mouth sensation and chewing?
Trigeminal Nerve (CN V)
A patient complains of numbness in their face and has difficulty chewing. Which cranial nerve is most likely involved?
Trigeminal Nerve (CN V)
Which cranial nerve controls lateral eye movement?
sideways and inward
Abducens Nerve (CN VI)
A patient’s eye stays in the middle when they try to look sideways. Which cranial nerve might be damaged?
Abducens Nerve (CN VI)
Which cranial nerve controls facial expressions and taste?
Facial Nerve (CN VII)
A patient has trouble smiling, raising their eyebrows, and tasting sweet foods on the front of their tongue. Which cranial nerve is affected?
Facial Nerve (CN VII)
Which cranial nerve is responsible for hearing and balance?
Vestibulocochlear Nerve (CN VIII)
A person reports feeling dizzy and has trouble maintaining balance. They also have difficulty hearing. Which cranial nerve might be affected?
Vestibulocochlear Nerve (CN VIII)
Which cranial nerve controls taste, swallowing, and blood pressure regulation?
Glossopharyngeal Nerve (CN IX)
A patient has difficulty swallowing and cannot taste bitter foods on the back of their tongue. Which cranial nerve is likely involved?
Glossopharyngeal Nerve (CN IX)
Which cranial nerve regulates autonomic functions such as digestion, heart rate, and respiratory processes as well as saliva production?
Vagus Nerve (CN X)
A patient experiences difficulty breathing and has an unusually slow heart rate. Which cranial nerve might be affected?
Vagus Nerve (CN X)