Cranial Nerves/Nuclei Flashcards
What is the function of the abducens nucleus and what CNs does it serve?
Somatomotor
Lateral rectus, interneurons to contra oculomotor complex (medial rectus)
CN VI
What is the function of the nucleus ambiguus and what CNs does it serve?
Branchiomotor
Motor control of pharynx, palate, larynx
CN IX, X
What is the function of the caudal portion of the solitary nucleus and what CNs does it serve?
Viscerosensory
Viscerosensation from thoracic and abdominal viscera (e.g. baroreceptors)
CN X
CN XI - Spinal Accessory
Originating nuclei
Nuclei Types/Functions/Location
- Accessory Nucleus
- Branchiomotor
- Sternocleidomastoid
- Trapezius
- Superior spinal cord (C1-C5/6)
- Branchiomotor
What is the function of the oculomotor complex and what CNs does it serve?
Somatomotor
Superior, inferior, medial recti (move eye)
Levator palpebrae (raise eyelid)
CN III
What is the function of the trochear nucleus and what CNs does it serve?
Somatomotor
Superior oblique muscle (eye)
CN IV
What is the function of the trigeminal motor nucleus and what CNs does it serve?
Branchiomotor
Muscles of mastication, tensor tympani
CN V
What is the function of the inferior salivary nucleus and what CNs does it serve?
Visceromotor
Parotid gland
CN IX
What is the function of the dorsal motor nucleus X and what CNs does it serve?
Visceromotor
Thoracic and abdominal preganglionic parasympathetics
CN X
Which nuclei serve multiple CNs and which do they serve?
- Spinal Trigeminal
- V, VII, IX, X
- Solitary nucleus (rostral part)
- VII, IX, X
- Nucleus ambiguus
- IX, X
What is the function of the superior salivary nucleus and what CNs does it serve?
Visceromotor
Submandibular/sublingual glands, lacrimal glands
CN VII
CN III - Oculomotor
Originating nuclei
Nuclei Types/Functions/Location
- Oculomotor Complex
- Somatomotor
- Superior, inferior, medial rectus (eye)
- Inferior oblique (eye)
- Levator palpebrae (elevates eyelid)
- Rostral midbrain
- Somatomotor
- Edinger-Westphal Nucleus
- Visceromotor (Pre-ganglionic parasympathetic)
- Sphincter of iris, ciliary muscle
- Synapse in ciliary ganglia
- Rostral midbrain
- Visceromotor (Pre-ganglionic parasympathetic)
CN V - Trigeminal
Originating nuclei
Nuclei Types/Functions/Location
- Trigeminal Motor Nucleus
- Branchiomotor
- Muscle of mastication
- Tensor tympani
- Mid pons
- Branchiomotor
- Mesencephalic Nucleus V
- Somatosensory
- Unconscious proprioception of jaw
- Mid pons
- Somatosensory
- Chief Sensory Trigeminal Nucleus
- Somatosensory
- Discriminative touch of face, anterior 2/3 of tongue
- Mid pons
- Somatosensory
- Spinal Nucleus V
- Somatosensory
- Pain/temperature of face, anterior 2/3 of tongue
- Mid pons
- Somatosensory
CN X - Vagus
Originating nuclei
Nuclei Types/Functions/Location
- Dorsal Motor Nucleus X
- Visceromotor (pre-ganglionic parasympathetic)
- Thoracic and abdominal viscera
- Upper medulla
- Visceromotor (pre-ganglionic parasympathetic)
- Rostral Solitary Nucleus
- Viscerosensory
- Taste - epiglottis
- Caudal Pons
- Viscerosensory
- Caudal Solitary Nucleus
- Viscerosensory
- Sensory from viscera
- e.g. aortic/carotid baroreceptors
- Sensory from viscera
- Medulla
- Viscerosensory
- Nucleus Ambiguus
- Branchiomotor
- Control of pharyngeal, palatal, larygeal muscles
- Medulla
- Branchiomotor
- Spinal Nucleus V
- Somatosensory
- Medulla
CN IX - Glossopharyngeal
Originating nuclei
Nuclei Types/Functions/Location
- Inferior Salivary Nucleus
- Visceromotor (pre-ganglionic parasympathetic)
- Parotid gland
- Synapse in the otic ganglion
- Parotid gland
- Upper medulla
- Visceromotor (pre-ganglionic parasympathetic)
- Rostral Solitary Nucleus
- Viscerosensory
- Taste for posterior 1/3 of tongue
- Caudal pons
- Viscerosensory
- Nucleus Ambiguus
- Branchiomotor
- Motor control of pharynx
- Medulla
- Branchiomotor