cranial nerves Flashcards
How many pairs of cranial nerves originate from the brain?
There are 12 pairs of cranial nerves that originate from the brain, mostly from the brainstem.
How are cranial nerves numbered?
Cranial nerves are numbered using Roman numerals (I-XII) in the order they emerge along the longitudinal axis of the brain, from anterior to posterior.
What types of functions do cranial nerves serve?
Cranial nerves can be purely sensory, purely motor, or mixed (sensory and motor).
How can the peripheral nervous system (PNS) be divided?
The peripheral nervous system (PNS) can be divided into the somatic nervous system (SNS) and autonomic nervous system (ANS).
What does the somatic nervous system (SNS) transmit?
The somatic nervous system (SNS) transmits sensory signals related to external stimuli from receptors in the skin, muscles, joints, and special sense organs, and motor signals to skeletal muscles.
What does the autonomic nervous system (ANS) transmit?
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) transmits sensory signals generally related to internal stimuli from receptors in visceral organs and tissues, and motor signals to cardiac muscle, smooth muscle, and glands located within the body’s viscera.
What are the three types of sensations included in the sensory component of the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?
The three types of sensations are somatic sensations from receptors in the skin, muscles, and joints; special sensations from receptors in the special sense organs; and visceral sensations from receptors in the visceral organs.
What are the two types of output included in the motor component of the peripheral nervous system (PNS)?
The two types of output are somatic motor output to skeletal muscles and autonomic motor output to cardiac muscle, smooth muscle, and glands within the viscera of the body.
What types of neurons are generally found in the major peripheral nerve branches of
the brachial, lumbar, and sacral plexuses?
The major peripheral nerve branches of the brachial, lumbar, and sacral plexuses generally contain neurons with somatic sensory and somatic motor functions.
What functions are generally not associated with the neurons in these peripheral nerve branches?
Neurons in these peripheral nerve branches generally do not contain special sensory, visceral sensory, or autonomic motor functions.
What types of neurons are found in the cranial nerves?
various combinations of sensory and motor neurons.
How do the cranial nerves differ from the major peripheral nerve branches in terms of neuron types?
Cranial nerves have various types of sensory and motor neurons, including special sensory, visceral sensory, and autonomic motor functions, while major peripheral nerve branches mainly have somatic sensory and somatic motor functions.
list the nerve responsible for somatic sensation
CN V
list the nerves responsible for special sensory:
CN I
CN II
CN VII
CN VIII
CN IX
1,2,7,8,9
List the nerves responsible for somatic motor:
CN III
CN IV
CN V
CN VI
CN VII
CN IX
CN X
CN XI
CN XII
3-7, 9-12
list the nerves responsible for visceral sensory:
CN IX
CN X
list the nerves responsible for autonomic motor:
CN III
CN VII
CN IX
CN X
3,7,9,10
list the cranial nerves and their associated functions (listed with mnemonics):
Oh: olfactory - Some: Sensory
Oh: optic- Say: Sensory
Oh: oculomotor- Marry: Motor
To: trochlear- Money: Motor
Touch: trigeminal- But: Both
And: abducens- My: Motor
Feel: facial- Brother: Both
Very: vestibulocochlear- Says: Sensory
Grumpy: glossopharyngeal- Big: Both
Vultures: vagus- Brains: Both
And: accessory- Matter: Motor
Hippos: hypoglossal- more: motor
cranial nerves:
sensory components of the PNS
somatic sensations: skin, muscles (SNS)
special sensations: vision, etc. (SNS)
Visceral sensations: visceral organs (ANS)
cranial nerves:
motor components of the PNS:
Somatic motor: skeletal muscles (SNS)
Autonomic motor: Visceral organs (ANS)
Peripheral Nerves
(branches of spinal nerves): sensory component of the PNS:
somatic sensations: Skin, muscles (SNS)
Peripheral Nerves/ PNS
(branches of spinal nerves) - what are the motor components of the PNS?
Somatic motor: skeletal muscles (SNS)
Autonomic motor: visceral organs (ANS)
CN I
Olfactory nerve
What is Cranial Nerve I responsible for?
Cranial Nerve I, the olfactory nerve, is responsible for the sense of smell.
Where are the receptors that detect olfactory stimuli located?
Receptors that detect olfactory stimuli line the superior portion of the nasal cavity.
How do the axons of the olfactory receptors enter the skull?
The axons of the olfactory receptors enter the skull via the olfactory foramina, specifically the cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone.
Where do the axons of olfactory receptors synapse after entering the skull?
The axons of olfactory receptors synapse with neurons in the ipsilateral olfactory bulb after entering the skull.
What type of signals does the olfactory nerve transmit?
The olfactory nerve transmits special sensory signals, specifically those related to the sense of smell.
What is the motor function associated with Cranial Nerve I?
no motor function; it is solely responsible for special sensory perception, specifically the sense of smell.
What is the primary function of Cranial Nerve II?
Cranial Nerve II, the optic nerve, is primarily responsible for vision.
Where do the axons carrying visual signals emerge from?
The axons carrying visual signals emerge from the back of each eyeball.
How do the optic nerves enter the skull?
The optic nerves enter the skull via the optic foramina, specifically through the sphenoid bone.
What structure do the optic nerves meet at, and what happens there?
The optic nerves meet at the optic chiasma, where some axons cross over to the opposite side.
what is the optic chiasma?
The optic chiasma is where some nerve fibers from the optic nerves cross over to the opposite side of the brain, allowing for integration of visual information from both eyes.
Where do the axons of the optic nerve synapse?
The axons of the optic nerve synapse with neurons in the thalamus.
What is the pathway of the axons after passing through the optic chiasma?
After passing through the optic chiasma, the axons continue posteriorly via the optic tracts.
Where are the signals of CN II relayed to after synapsing in the thalamus?
After synapsing in the thalamus, the signals are relayed to the primary visual area of the brain.
What type of sensory modality does Cranial Nerve II transmit?
Cranial Nerve II transmits special sensory signals related to vision.
What is the motor function associated with Cranial Nerve II?
Cranial Nerve II does not have a motor function; it is solely responsible for special sensory perception, specifically related to vision.
What is Cranial Nerve III responsible for?
Cranial Nerve III, the oculomotor nerve, carries motor signals to some extrinsic eye muscles and autonomic signals to intrinsic eye muscles.