Cranial Nerve pathways

Question 1

Olfactory CNI

Answer 1

Receptors in olfactory epithelium of nasal cavity, olfactory nerve fibres pass through holes in cribriform plate of ethmoid bone and enter olfactory bulb in the anterior cranial fossa

Question 2

Optic CNII

Answer 2

Enters via optic canal, nerves then join to form optic chiasm,
then fibres from medial (nasal) half of each retina cross to form optic tract

Question 3

Oculomotor CNIII

Answer 3

emerges from midbrain and exits via superior orbital fissure

Question 4

Trochlear CNIV

Answer 4

emerges from dorsal surface of the mid brain and exits via the superior orbital fissure

Question 5

Trigeminal Ophthalmic CNV1

Answer 5

emerges from the pons, travels through the trigeminal ganglion and exits via the superior orbital fissure

Question 6

Trigeminal Maxillary CNV2

Answer 6

Emerges from the pons, travels through the trigeminal ganglion and exits via the foramen rotundum

Question 7

Trigeminal Mandibular CNV3

Answer 7

Emerges from the pons, travels through the trigeminal ganglion and exits via the foramen ovale

Question 8

Abducent CNVI

Answer 8

emerges between pons and medulla and exits exits via the superior orbital fissure

Question 9

Facial CNVII

Answer 9

Emerges between pons and medulla and exits via internal acoustic meatus, facial canal and stylomastoid foramen

Question 10

Vestibulocochlear CNVIII

Answer 10

Emerges from between pons and medulla and exits via internal acoustic meatus, dividing into vestibular and cochlear nerves

Question 11

Glossopharryngeal CNIX

Answer 11

Emerges from medulla and exits via jugular foramen

Question 12

Vagus CNX

Answer 12

emerges from medulla and exits via jugular foramen, then everywhere

Question 13

Accessory CNXI

Answer 13

small cranial (medulla) and large spinal roots exit via jugular foramen

Question 14

Hypoglossal CN XII

Answer 14

Emerges from medulla and exits through the hypoglossal canal