Cranial Nerves

Question 1

CN 1

Answer 1

Olfactory Nerve (Smell)
Close one nostril, find any abnormalities, do bilaterally.

Question 2

CN 2

Answer 2

Optic Nerve (Visual Acuity, Visual Field, ocular fundi, pupillary actions). Test each eye separately.

Question 3

CN 3,4,6

Answer 3

Oculomotor, Trochlear, Abducens Nerves (extraocular muscle movement, pupillary actions) Draw invisible H in front of patient and ask them to follow with their eyes.

Question 4

CN 5

Answer 4

Trigeminal Nerve (sensory = face motor= mastication; jaw movement, masseter muscle, corneal reflexes) Ask the patient to clench their jaw.

Question 5

CN 7

Answer 5

Facial Nerve (Facial expression, anterior 2/3 tongue taste) Ask patient to raise eyebrows, close eyes tightly, smile, blow up cheeks

Question 6

CN 8

Answer 6

Vestibulocochlear Nerve (Hearing & Balance) Asking if the patient can hear, rubbing fingers together close to the ear, whispering behind the ear.

Question 7

CN 9, 10

Answer 7

Glossopharyngeal, Vagus Nerve (Swallowing, elevation of palate, gag reflex, posterior 1/3 taste tongue) Ask patient to open mouth and say “ah”, ask them to drink water and observe for coughing or gurgling speech. When patient talks look for hoarseness or nasal speech, STROKE BACK OF THE TONGUE TEST BOTH

Question 8

CN 11

Answer 8

Spinal Accessory Nerve (Thorax, Back, Shoulders) Ask patient to turn their head to the side and shrug their shoulders

Question 9

CN 12

Answer 9

Hypoglossal Nerve (Tongue movement) Ask patient to relax tongue, then stick tongue out

Question 10

CN 5,7,10,12 (extra)

Answer 10

All contribute to voice and speech