Cranial Neuron Functions

Question 1

CN I (Olfactory Nerve)

Answer 1

sensory; sense of smell

Question 1

CN II (Optic Nerve)

Answer 1

sensory; sense of vision

Question 2

CN III (Oculomotor Nerve)

Answer 2

motor; control of extraocular muscles which allow movement of eyeballs/constriction of pupils/changing of lens shape

Question 3

CN IV (Trochlear Nerve)

Answer 3

motor; control of the superior oblique muscle of the eye that moves the eyeball down and lateral

Question 4

CN V (Trigeminal Nerve)

Answer 4

sensory + motor; tactile and pain sensory information from the face and mouth/control of muscles used in chewing

Question 5

CN VI (Abducens Nerve)

Answer 5

motor; control of the lateral rectus muscle of the eye that moves the eyeball outward laterally

Question 6

CN VII (Facial Nerve)

Answer 6

sensory + motor; control of the muscles that allow for facial expressions/taste sensation on the anterior 2/3rds of the tongue

Question 7

CN VIII (Vestibulocochlear Nerve)

Answer 7

sensory; detection of sound information and head positional (vestibular) information

Question 8

CN IX (Glossopharyngeal Nerve)

Answer 8

sensory + motor; detection of somatic sensory in the middle ear and posterior 1/3rd of the tongue/taste sensation on the posterior 1/3rd of the tongue/controls the stylopharyngeal muscle that allows swallowing

Question 9

CN X (Vagus Nerve)

Answer 9

sensory + motor; control of the internal organs by autonomic nervous system using parasympathetic activity

Question 10

CN XI (Accessory Nerve)

Answer 10

motor; control of the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles of the neck and shoulders

Question 11

CN XII (Hypoglossal Nerve)

Answer 11

motor; control of the muscles of the tongue