Cranial Nerve Origins & Nuclei

Question 1

CN I, olfactory

Answer 1

Origin: Cerebrum
Nuclei: N/A

Question 2

CN II, optic

Answer 2

Origin: Diencephalon/midbrain
Nuclei: N/A

Question 3

CN III, oculomotor

Answer 3

Origin: Midbrain
Nuclei: Oculomotor nucleus of the midbrain and Edinger-Wesphal nucleus of the midbrain.

Question 4

CN IV, trochlear

Answer 4

Origin: Midbrain
Nuclei: Trochlear nucleus of the midbrain.

Question 5

CN V, trigeminal

Answer 5

Origin: Pons to trigeminal ganglion
Nuclei: trigeminal motor nucleus (V3)

Question 6

CN VI, abducens

Answer 6

Origin: Pons
Nucleus: Abducens nucleus of the pons

Question 7

CN VII, Facial

Answer 7

Origin: pons
Nuclei: facial motor nucleus and superior salivatory nucleus

Question 8

CN IX, Glossopharyngeal

Answer 8

Origin: medulla
Nuclei: inferior salivatory nucleus and nucleus ambiguus

Question 9

CN X, Vagus

Answer 9

Origin: medulla
Nuclei: dorsal motor nucleus and nucleus ambiguus

Question 10

CN XI, Accessory

Answer 10

Origin: Spinal segments C1-5
Nuclei: spinal accessory nucleus

Question 11

CN XII, Hypoglossal

Answer 11

Origin: medulla
Nuclei: hypoglossal nucleus