Cranial Nerves

Question 1

Nerve I

Answer 1

Olfactory: Smell (s)
Test: Make patient smell something

Question 2

Nerve II

Answer 2

Optic: Visual (s)
Test: Ask patient how many fingers they see

Question 3

Nerve III

Answer 3

Oculomotor: opening of eyelids, eye movements up & down
Test: Pen light, follow the finger in a H & X pattern (tested along CN 4&6)

Question 4

Nerve IV

Answer 4

Trochlear: Eye lid, diagonal eye movement (m)
Test: Follow a finger in a H & X pattern (tested along 3&6)

Question 5

Nerve V

Answer 5

A. Ophthalmic: Cornea, nasal mucosa, face skin (s)
B. Maxillary: Skin of the face, oral cavity, teeth (s)
C. Mandibular: Muscles of chewing (m)
Test: Sharp or dull sensation over the face & open/close the jaw

Question 6

Nerve VI

Answer 6

Abducens: lateral eye movement (m)
Test: Follow finger in a H & X pattern (tested along 3&4)

Question 7

Nerve VII

Answer 7

Facial: Facial muscle movement (b)
Test: make the patient smile, frown, etc.

Question 8

Nerve VIII

Answer 8

Vestibulocochlear: Hearing and balance (s)
Test: Snap fingers beside patient’s ears

Question 9

Nerve IX

Answer 9

Glossopharyngeal: Taste on posterior third of the tongue (b)
Test: Make “AHHHH” sound

Question 10

Nerve X

Answer 10

Vagus: Palate muscle and swallowing (b)
Test: Make patient swallow

Question 11

Nerve XI

Answer 11

Accessory: shoulder shrug (m)
Test: Make patient shrug shoulders

Question 12

Nerve XII

Answer 12

Hypoglossal: Tongue movement (m)
Test: Make the patient take his tongue out