Cranial Nerves Flashcards
Label the cranial nerves
What are the 2 origins of the cranial nerves?
I and II are extensions of the CNS
III to XII are part of the PNS and emerge from the brainstem
What is the relationship between the cranial nerves and the brainstem?
For each fibre type within a cranial nerve, there is a corresponding nucleus in the brainstem
This is a collection of cell bodies
What types of fibres are contained within the oculomotor nerve (CN III)?
Oculomotor nerve (CN III) carries 2 types of fibres, so it has two nuclei within the midbrain
it contains somatic motor fibres to the extraocular muscles coming from the oculomotor nucleus
it contains visceral motor (autonomic) fibres to the sphincter pupillae and ciliary muscles coming from the Edinger-Westphal nucleus
What happens to the fibres making up the oculomotor nerve as they leave the skull?
The fibres from the oculomotor and Edinger-Westphal nuclei merge together and exit the skull via the interpeduncular fossa as CN III
What section is shown?
How can you tell?
Midbrain
you can see the black cerebral peduncles at the back
the cerebral aqueduct (large white circle) is also visible
Where are the cranial nerve nuclei located within the brainstem?
Cranial nerve nuclei are scattered throughout the brainstem
Sensory nuclei are located laterally
Motor nuclei are located medially
All cranial nerve nuclei are located in the tegmentum
there are no nuclei in the tectum or basal surface
Complete the cross-section showing the general organisation of CN nuclei in the brainstem.
Which crosssection is shown?
This is a section through the rostral (open) medulla
the motor nuclei are located medially in the tegmentum
the sensory nuclei are located laterally in the tegmentum
What are the roles of the somatic and visceral sensory nuclei in the brainstem?
Somatic sensory:
- respond to sensations such as touch, pain and temperature
Visceral sensory:
- monitors the internal state of organs
- autonomic control
What are the 2 broad categories of nerve fibres carried in the cranial nerves?
Nerves of the head and neck carry either sensory (afferent) and/or motor (efferent) fibres
Each cranial nerve may carry several different fibre types
For each fibre type within a cranial nerve, there is a corresponding nucleus within the brainstem
What is a nucleus and where are they found?
A functional group of neurones within the CNS
They are located within the tegmentum of the brainstem
They are found within ALL brainstem parts
(midbrain, pons and medulla)
What is the difference between sensory and motor cranial nerve nuclei?
Sensory nuclei:
- receive information from fibres entering the brainstem in cranial nerves
- the cranial nerves synapse here
- they send fibres to the appropriate higher centre
motor nuclei:
- receive motor information from higher centres
- they synapse in the nuclei
- motor fibres originate here that leave the brainstem via cranial nerves
Why are cranial nerves I and II not typical cranial nerves?
They are derived from the forebrain, not the brainstem
What is the location and pathway of the olfactory nerve (I) like?
It originates from receptors in nasal mucosa
it enters the skull through the cribiform plate, where it merges with olfactory bulbs
the olfactory bulbs connect with olfactory tracts, which carry smell to other parts of the brain
THEY ARE EXTENSIONS OF THE TELENCEPHALON
What is the function of the olfactory nerve?
How can it be tested?
Special sensory - involved in olfaction (smell)
it is tested by offering a familiar smelling item (e.g. orange, coffee)
What is the location of the optic nerve like?
It emerges from the retina to enter the optic canal
this leads to the optic chiasma, where information form both eyes is sent to both sides of the brain
optic tracts then carry information to the thalamus
What is the function of the optic nerve?
Which foramen does it leave through?
Special sensory - vision
it leaves the skull via the optic canal
What is significant about the thalamus and sensory modalities?
All sensory modalities are sent to the thalamus first before being sent to the cortex
(except olfaction)
What is shown here?
CP - cribiform plate
OC - optic canal
OB - olfactory bulbs
Olf T - olfactory tracts
OT - optic tracts
ON - optic nerve
Where is the oculomotor nerve located?
Which foramen does it emerge from?
It is located at the pontomesencephalic junction
it leaves through the superior orbital fissure
What is the function of the oculomotor nerve?
How is it tested?
- Somatic motor to four extraocular muscles
- visceral (parasympathetic) motor to ciliary muscle and sphincter pupillae
- it is tested through the follow finger test
What is the location of the trochlear nerve?
What foramen does it leave through?
It is located at the dorsal midbrain
It leaves through the superior orbital fissure
What is the function of the trochlear nerve and how is it tested?
It supplies somatic motor innervation to the superior oblique muscle
- it is tested via the follow finger test
what is the location and foramen of the abducens nerve (VI)?
It is located at the pontomedullary junction
it leaves through the superior orbital fissure
What is the function of the abducens nerve?
how is it tested?
It supplies somatic motor function to the lateral rectus
it is tested via the follow finger test