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
What is the function of the accessory nucleus and what CNs does it serve?
Branchiomotor
Sternocleidomastoid, trapezius muscle
CN XI
What is the function of the spinal nucleus V and what CNs does it serve?
Somatosensory
Pain/temperature of the face, anterior 2/3 tongue
CN V, VII, IX, X
What is the function of the mesencephalic V nucleus and what CNs does it serve?
Somatosensory
Unconscious proprioception of the jaw
CN V
What is the function of the rostral part of the solitary nucleus and what CNs does it serve?
Viscerosensory
Taste
CNs VII, IX, X
What is the function of the Edinger-Westphal nucleus and what CNs does it serve?
Visceromotor
Sphincter of iris, ciliary muscle (smooth muscle of eye)
CN III
CN VI - Abducens
Originating nuclei
Nuclei Types/Functions/Location
- Abducens nucleus
- Somatomotor
- Lateral rectus (ipsi)
- Interneurons to LMNs in contralateral oculomotor nucleus
- To medial rectus - coordinates eye movements
- Interneurons travel in medial longitudinal fasciculus
- Caudal pons
- Somatomotor
CN IV - Trochlear
Originating nuclei
Nuclei Types/Functions/Location
- Trochlear Nucleus
- Somatomotor
- Superior oblique eye muscle
- Caudal midbrain
- Somatomotor
- NOTE: Crosses and exits on the dorsal side of the midbrain, caudal to the inferior colliculus - the only CN that serves the contralateral side and the only one that exits dorsally
What is the function of the facial nucleus and what CNs does it serve?
Branchiomotor
Muscles of facial expression, orbicularis oculi (close eyelid), stapedius muscle (inner ear)
CN VII
CN XII - Hypoglossal
Originating nuclei
Nuclei Types/Functions/Location
- Hypoglossal Nucleus
- Somatomotor
- Tongue muscles
- Medulla
