Cranial Nerves Flashcards
Cranial nerve I and
Clinical testing
Olfactory (sensory)
Sense of smell
Test each nostril for smell with closed eyes.
Cranial nerve II and
Clinical testing
Optic (sensory)
Sense of sight / vision
Test each eye using a visual acuity chart, color etc.
Cranial nerve III and
Clinical testing
Oculomotor (motor)
Eye movement (all muscles of the eye other than LR and SO); keeps eyelids open.
Follow fingers with eyes, head still.
Cranial nerve IV and
Clinical testing
Trochlear (motor)
Eye movement via superior oblique.
Look down and to the side (inferiorly and laterally).
Cranial nerve V and clinical testing
Trigeminal (both)
Sensory: in the face
Test sensation in the forehead, jaw and cheeks.
Motor: of jaw
Clench teeth together and open mouth against resistance.
Cranial nerve VI and clinical testing
Abducens (motor)
Eye movement via lateral rectus.
Looking to the side (laterally).
Cranial nerve VII and clinical testing
Facial (both)
Sensory: taste and auditory senses
Motor: facial expression
Show teeth, raise eyebrows, keep eyes closed against resistance.
Cranial nerve VIII and clinical testing
Vestibulocochlear (sensory)
Sensory: sense of balance and hearing
Use tuning fork; or close eyes and snap fingers. Close eyes and stand on one foot.
Cranial nerve IX and clinical testing
Glossopharyngeal (both)
Sensory: taste from posterior 3rd of tongue
Motor: swallowing
Check for gag reflex, ask patient to swallow.
Cranial nerve X and clinical testing
Vagus (both)
Sensory: visceral sensation for autonomic control of visceral organs
Motor: to the viscera
Say “aah”, vocal quality (speaking) - tests out their vocal cords
Cranial nerve XI and clinical testing
Accessory (motor)
Shrugging shoulders and turning head.
Ask patient to shrug shoulders and turn head against resistance.
Cranial nerve XII and clinical testing
Hypoglossal (motor)
Movement of tongue.
Ask patient to stick out their tongue.
