Cranial Nerve Exam Flashcards
What is CN I (1)?
Olfactory Nerve
What is CN II (2)?
Optic nerve
What is CN III (3)?
Occulomotor nerve
What is CN IV (4)?
Trochlear nerve
What is CN V (5)?
Trigeminal nerve
What is CN VI (6)?
Abducens nerve
What is CN VII (7)?
Facial nerve
What is CN VIII (8)?
Vestibulocochlear nerve
What is CN IX (9)?
Glossopharyngeal Nerve
What is CN X (10)?
Vagus nerve
What is CN XI (11)?
Spinal accessory nerve
What is CN XII (12)?
Hypoglossal nerve
How should you first assess a patient’s cranial nerves?
General inspection
What is the pathology?

Bell’s Palsy (unilateral facial nerve weakness)
What is the pathology?

Stroke (UMN lesion affecting the facial muscles)
How can Bell’s be differentiated from a facial stroke?
Forehead sparing in stroke
Why is there forehead sparing in stroke?
Bilateral UMN supply to the superior part of the facial nerve nucleus
What should be looked for in eyes on general inspection?
- Strabismus
- Ptosis
- Asymmetrical pupil
What is this sign?

Ptosis
What is this sign?
(Not the ptosis)

Miosis (pupil constricted)
What is this sign?

Mydriasis (pupil dilation)
How can you distinguish unilateral miosis from unilateral mydriasis?
The normal pupil should be more constricted in brighter light
What abnormality of speech is relevant to a cranial nerve exam?
Dysarthria (problems with articulation)
What signs of cranial nerve problems can be seen around the bedside?
- Glasses
- Hearing aids











