Cranial Nerves/Nuclei Flashcards

1
Q

What is the function of the abducens nucleus and what CNs does it serve?

A

Somatomotor

Lateral rectus, interneurons to contra oculomotor complex (medial rectus)

CN VI

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1
Q

What is the function of the nucleus ambiguus and what CNs does it serve?

A

Branchiomotor

Motor control of pharynx, palate, larynx

CN IX, X

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3
Q

What is the function of the caudal portion of the solitary nucleus and what CNs does it serve?

A

Viscerosensory

Viscerosensation from thoracic and abdominal viscera (e.g. baroreceptors)

CN X

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4
Q

CN XI - Spinal Accessory

Originating nuclei

Nuclei Types/Functions/Location

A
  • Accessory Nucleus
    • Branchiomotor
      • Sternocleidomastoid
      • Trapezius
    • Superior spinal cord (C1-C5/6)
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5
Q

What is the function of the oculomotor complex and what CNs does it serve?

A

Somatomotor

Superior, inferior, medial recti (move eye)

Levator palpebrae (raise eyelid)

CN III

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5
Q

What is the function of the trochear nucleus and what CNs does it serve?

A

Somatomotor

Superior oblique muscle (eye)

CN IV

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5
Q

What is the function of the trigeminal motor nucleus and what CNs does it serve?

A

Branchiomotor

Muscles of mastication, tensor tympani

CN V

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5
Q

What is the function of the inferior salivary nucleus and what CNs does it serve?

A

Visceromotor

Parotid gland

CN IX

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6
Q

What is the function of the dorsal motor nucleus X and what CNs does it serve?

A

Visceromotor

Thoracic and abdominal preganglionic parasympathetics

CN X

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7
Q

Which nuclei serve multiple CNs and which do they serve?

A
  • Spinal Trigeminal
    • V, VII, IX, X
  • Solitary nucleus (rostral part)
    • VII, IX, X
  • Nucleus ambiguus
    • IX, X
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8
Q

What is the function of the superior salivary nucleus and what CNs does it serve?

A

Visceromotor

Submandibular/sublingual glands, lacrimal glands

CN VII

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9
Q

CN III - Oculomotor

Originating nuclei

Nuclei Types/Functions/Location

A
  • Oculomotor Complex
    • Somatomotor
      • Superior, inferior, medial rectus (eye)
      • Inferior oblique (eye)
      • Levator palpebrae (elevates eyelid)
    • Rostral midbrain
  • Edinger-Westphal Nucleus
    • Visceromotor (Pre-ganglionic parasympathetic)
      • Sphincter of iris, ciliary muscle
      • Synapse in ciliary ganglia
    • Rostral midbrain
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10
Q

CN V - Trigeminal

Originating nuclei

Nuclei Types/Functions/Location

A
  • Trigeminal Motor Nucleus
    • Branchiomotor
      • Muscle of mastication
      • Tensor tympani
    • Mid pons
  • Mesencephalic Nucleus V
    • Somatosensory
      • Unconscious proprioception of jaw
    • Mid pons
  • Chief Sensory Trigeminal Nucleus
    • Somatosensory
      • Discriminative touch of face, anterior 2/3 of tongue
    • Mid pons
  • Spinal Nucleus V
    • Somatosensory
      • Pain/temperature of face, anterior 2/3 of tongue
    • Mid pons
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11
Q

CN X - Vagus

Originating nuclei

Nuclei Types/Functions/Location

A
  • Dorsal Motor Nucleus X
    • Visceromotor (pre-ganglionic parasympathetic)
      • Thoracic and abdominal viscera
    • Upper medulla
  • Rostral Solitary Nucleus
    • Viscerosensory
      • Taste - epiglottis
    • Caudal Pons
  • Caudal Solitary Nucleus
    • Viscerosensory
      • Sensory from viscera
        • e.g. aortic/carotid baroreceptors
    • Medulla
  • Nucleus Ambiguus
    • Branchiomotor
      • Control of pharyngeal, palatal, larygeal muscles
    • Medulla
  • Spinal Nucleus V
    • Somatosensory
    • Medulla
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13
Q

CN IX - Glossopharyngeal

Originating nuclei

Nuclei Types/Functions/Location

A
  • Inferior Salivary Nucleus
    • Visceromotor (pre-ganglionic parasympathetic)
      • Parotid gland
        • Synapse in the otic ganglion
    • Upper medulla
  • Rostral Solitary Nucleus
    • Viscerosensory
      • Taste for posterior 1/3 of tongue
    • Caudal pons
  • Nucleus Ambiguus
    • Branchiomotor
      • ​Motor control of pharynx
    • Medulla
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14
Q

What is the function of the accessory nucleus and what CNs does it serve?

A

Branchiomotor

Sternocleidomastoid, trapezius muscle

CN XI

15
Q

What is the function of the spinal nucleus V and what CNs does it serve?

A

Somatosensory

Pain/temperature of the face, anterior 2/3 tongue

CN V, VII, IX, X

16
Q

What is the function of the mesencephalic V nucleus and what CNs does it serve?

A

Somatosensory

Unconscious proprioception of the jaw

CN V

17
Q

What is the function of the rostral part of the solitary nucleus and what CNs does it serve?

A

Viscerosensory

Taste

CNs VII, IX, X

18
Q

What is the function of the Edinger-Westphal nucleus and what CNs does it serve?

A

Visceromotor

Sphincter of iris, ciliary muscle (smooth muscle of eye)

CN III

19
Q

CN VI - Abducens

Originating nuclei

Nuclei Types/Functions/Location

A
  • 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
21
Q

CN IV - Trochlear

Originating nuclei

Nuclei Types/Functions/Location

A
  • Trochlear Nucleus
    • Somatomotor
      • Superior oblique eye muscle
    • Caudal midbrain
  • 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
22
Q

What is the function of the facial nucleus and what CNs does it serve?

A

Branchiomotor

Muscles of facial expression, orbicularis oculi (close eyelid), stapedius muscle (inner ear)

CN VII

23
Q

CN XII - Hypoglossal

Originating nuclei

Nuclei Types/Functions/Location

A
  • Hypoglossal Nucleus
    • Somatomotor
    • Tongue muscles
    • Medulla
24
Q

What is the function of the chief sensory trigeminal nucleus and what CNs does it serve?

A

Somatosensory

Discriminative touch of the face, anterior 2/3 of tongue

CN V

26
Q

CN VII - Facial

Originating nuclei

Nuclei Types/Functions/Location

A
  • Facial Nucleus
    • Branchiomotor
      • Muscles of facial expression
      • Orbicularis oculi (closes eyelid)
      • Stepedius muscle (inner ear)
    • Caudal pons
  • Superior Salivary Nucleus
    • Visceromotor (pre-ganglionic parasympathetic)
      • Submandibular/sublingual glands
        • Synapse in submandibular ganglion
      • Lacrimal glands
        • Synapse in pterygopalatine ganglion
    • Caudal pons
  • Spinal Nucleus V
    • Somatosensory
      • Pain/temperature of face, anterior 2/3 of tongue
    • Mid pons
  • Rostral Solitary Nucleus
    • Viscerosensory
      • Taste for anterior 2/3 tongue and palate
    • Caudal pons
27
Q

What is the function of the hypoglossal nucleus and what CNs does it serve?

A

Somatomotor

Tongue muscles

CN XII