Cranial Nerves

Question 1

CN # 1 (I)

Answer 1

Olfactory Nerve

Smell

Question 2

CN #2 (II)

Answer 2

Optic Nerve
Function; Visual acuity
Assess; Snellen chart

Question 3

CN # 3, (III)

Answer 3

Oculomotor Nerve
in and behind eyes
controls pupillary constriction
(usually check III, IV, and VI together)

Question 4

CN # 4 (VI)

Answer 4

Trochlear Nerve
pully to move eyes down to look at nose
(III, IV, VI tested together)

Question 5

CN # 5 (V)

Answer 5

Trigeminal Nerve
Covers most of face- forehead, cheek, jaw
Function; facial sensation
Assess; Sensation on face, strength of jaw

Question 6

CN # 6 (VI)

Answer 6

Abducens Nerve
Eye movement to sides
(III, IV, VI Tested together)

Question 7

CN # 7 (VII)

Answer 7

Facial Nerve
Facial movement and expressions, tear formation, salvation, taste, symmetry
assess: Test ability to taste, symmetry of facial expressions

Question 8

CN # 8 (VIII)

Answer 8

Acoustic Nerve
Function: Hearing and equilibrium
Assess: Weber and Rinne test for hearing loss, whisper words, tuning fork

Question 9

CN # 9 (IX)

Answer 9

Glossopharyngeal Nerve

Function: Swallowing, gag reflex, taste sensation back of tongue

Question 10

CN # 10 (X)

Answer 10

Vagus Nerve
Function: Voice, talking, swallowing, regulates cardiac rate and RR
Assess: “ah” uvula rise midline,
check ability to swallow

Question 11

CN # 11 (XI)

Answer 11

Spinal Accessory Nerve
Function: Movement of head, neck and shoulder
Assess: Shrug shoulders and head turn vs resistance

Question 12

CN # 12 (XII)

Answer 12

Hypoglossal Nerve
Function: tongue movement
Assess: Stick out tongue, check for deviations or tremors