Cranial nerve tracts

Question 1

Olfactory

Answer 1

cribriform plate to olfactory bulbs

Question 2

Optic

Answer 2

exit the orbit via the optic canal into the middle cranial fossa and terminate in the lateral geniculate bodies of thalamus

Question 3

Oculomotor

Answer 3

leaves the midbrain, pierces the dura lateral to diaphragma sellae, runs in lateral wall of cavernous sinus, and enters orbit via superior orbital fissure

Question 4

Trochlear

Answer 4

exits the dorsal surface of the midbrain, pierces the dura at the margin of the tentorium cerebelli, runs in the lateral wall of the cavernous sinus, and enters the orbit via the surperior orbit fissure

Question 5

Abducens

Answer 5

emerges from brainstem between the pons and medulla, transverses the pontine cistern, pierces the dura covering the clivus, runs in cavernous sinus near the internal carotid artery, and enters the orbit via the superior orbital fissure

Question 6

Ophthalmic

Answer 6

emerges from lateral aspects of pons, ganglion located in the trigeminal cave lateral to cavernous sinus, passes through cavernous sinus, and exits via the superior orbit fissure

Question 7

Maxillary

Answer 7

emerges from lateral aspects of pons, ganglion located in the trigeminal cave lateral cavernous sinus, passed through cavernous sinus, and exits via the foramen rotundum

Question 8

Mandibular

Answer 8

emerges from lateral aspects of pons, ganglion located in the trigeminal cave lateral to cavernous sinus, exits via foramen ovale

Question 9

Facial

Answer 9

emerges from pontine-medullary junction, traverses the posterior cranial fossa and exits the skull via the internal acoustic meatus, runs in the facial canal and exits the stylomastoid foramen
passes through the parotid gland

Question 10

Vestibulocochlear

Answer 10

enter skull via the internal acoustic meatus, enter brainstem via the pontine-medullary junction

Question 11

Glossopharyngeal

Answer 11

emerges from the medulla, exits the cranium through jugular foramen, passes between the superior and middle pharyngeal constrictors, and enters oral cavity

Question 12

Vagus

Answer 12

emerges from medulla and exits through jugular foramen

Question 13

Spinal accessory

Answer 13

emerges from spinal cord, enters the cranium through foramen magnum, exits the skull through jugular foramen

Question 14

Hypoglossal

Answer 14

emerges from the medulla, exits the skull via hypoglossal canal, travels with the cervical plexus, crosses the occipital artery, and enters the oral cavity