Introduction Flashcards
The cranial nerves form part of which nervous system? They are generally considered separately because of their specialised roles where in the body?
PNS / head and neck region
Cranial nerves generally exit the skull in what direction? What are the exceptions to this?
Anteriorly / trochlear nerve exits posteriorly and vestibulocochlear nerve exits laterally
Cranial nerves all carry one or more of what three modalities?
Sensory, motor or parasympathetic innervation
Most cranial nerves have nuclei that are located where? What are the exceptions to this?
Brainstem / olfactory and optic
The intracranial part of the course of a cranial nerve is between which points?
The point of connection with the CNS and their respective base of skull foramina
What could cause a cranial nerve pathology in the CNS part of its course?
Brainstem stroke
What could cause a cranial nerve pathology in the intracranial part of its course?
Mass lesions e.g. brain tumours
What could cause a cranial nerve pathology at its entrance/exit foramina?
Base of skull fracture
What could cause a cranial nerve pathology in the extracranial part of its course?
Extracranial trauma
Which is the only cranial nerve that supplies structures outwith the head and neck? Where does it supply?
Vagus nerve - supplies the chest and abdomen to the level of the midgut
The 12 cranial nerves supply the head and neck with which modalities?
Sensory, motor and parasympathetics
Motor components of cranial nerves will be associated with motor nuclei. What are these?
Groups of efferent neurones that send their axons to the cranial nerves
Sensory components of cranial nerves will be associated with sensory nuclei. What are these?
Groups of nerve cells upon which the sensory neurones of the cranial nerves synapse
The soma of sensory cranial nerve cells will be found where?
In ganglia outside of the CNS
