Cranial Nerves

Question 1

How many cranial nerves are there in total?

Answer 1

12 Paired Nerves

Question 2

Remember this diagram of the nerves

Answer 2

Question 3

Which nerve enters through the Cribriform Plate?

Answer 3

Olfactory Nerve (CN1)

Question 4

Which nerve enters through the optic canal?

Answer 4

Optic Nerve (CNIII)

Question 5

Which nerves enter through the Superior Orbital Fissure

Answer 5

Oculomotor (CNIII)

Trochlear (CNIV)

Opthalmic (CNV)

Abducens (CNVI)

Question 6

Which nerve enters through the foramen rotundum

Answer 6

Maxillary (CNV2)

Question 7

Which nerves enter through the internal acoustic meatus

Answer 7

Facial (CNVII)

Vestibulocchlear (CNVIII)

Question 8

Which nerves enter through the Jugular foramen

Answer 8

Glosopharyngeal (CNIX)

Vagus (CNX)

Accessory (CNXI)

Question 9

Which nerve enters through the Hypoglossal Canal?

Answer 9

Hypoglossal (CNXII)

Question 10

Major function of the olfactory nerves (CN1)

Answer 10

Sense of smell

Question 11

Major function of the Optic Nerve

Answer 11

Sight

Question 12

What are the three nerves that control extraocular muscles

Answer 12

CN IV Trochlear - Superior oblique muscle (rotates eye inward)

CN VI - Abducens - Lateral rectus muscle (abducts eye)

CN III Oculomotor - Contricts the pupil, contracts to cause lens to become more spherical for short range, keeps eyelids up

Question 13

Muscles of the eye diagram

Answer 13

Question 14

What is the major function of the Trigeminal nerve (CNV) (largest nerve)

Answer 14

Chewing muscles and most facial sensation.

Question 15

What is the major function of the Facial Nerve (CNVII)

Answer 15

Motor control of facial nerves

Salivary glands

Taste

Question 16

What is Bell’s Palsy, what causes it?

Answer 16

Muscles on one side of your face become weak and paralyzed.

Loss of sense in one of the facial Nerves

Question 17

What are the major functions of the Vestibulocochlear Nerves (CN VIII)

Answer 17

Two Fibers: Vestibular and Cochlear

Sensory functions

• Vestibular: Equilibrium and Balance
• Cochlear: hearing

Question 18

What are the major functions of the Glossopharyngeal Nerve (CN IX)

Answer 18

Salivation

Skin Sensation

Taste

Senses carotid blood pressure

Question 19

Features of the Vagus Nerve (CN X)

Answer 19

Longest Nerve -> Terminates the abdomen

Vagary: “Wandering”

Question 20

Major functions of the Vagus Nerve (CN X)

Answer 20

Senses aortic blood pressure

Slows heart rate

Stimulates digestive organs

Speech

Question 21

Major functions of Spinal Accessory (CN XI)

Answer 21

Motor control of sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles

Swallowing

Question 22

Major functions of the Hypoglossal Nerve (CN XII)

Answer 22

Motor control of tongue

Question 23

Review this convenient table

Answer 23

Question 24

What is the major function of the Oculomotor? (CN III)

Answer 24

Motor control of some eye muscles and eyelids

Question 25

What is the major function of the Trochlear (CN IV)

Answer 25

Motor control of superior oblique eye muscle

Question 26

What is the major function of the Abducens (CN VI)

Answer 26

Motor control of lateral rectus (eye muscle)

Question 27

What are the branches of the Trigeminal nerve? What do they control?

Answer 27

V₁ - Opthalmic (sensory of mucuous membrance, sinuses, upper face and scalp)

V₂ - Maxillary (sensory fibers, eyelid, nose, uppler lip)

V₃ - Mandibular (chewing. Sensory to jaw and mouth)