Mod 10 Cranial Nerves Flashcards
Where are sensory nuclei of CNs lie in the brain and where do motor nuclei lie?
sensory: lateral
motor: medial
What makes CN I (olfactory) special?
does not:
- synapse in thalamus before reaching cerebral cortex
- attach brainstem
- have DRG equivalent
is: part of CNS
What forms the olfactory bulb?
bipolar neurons
What type of neurons fill the olfactory tract?
secondary neurons
How do you evaluate CN I in clinic?
test each nostril separately with familiar scent
- can have affect on olfaction, emotion, and memory
What is anosmia?
the inability to smell that may occur from a common cold, COVID, trauma, or PD and Alzheimer’s
What type of cell axons form the optic nerve?
retinal ganglion cell axons
Which CNs are components of the CNS?
olfactory and optic
How does the fact that CN II is part of the CNS have affect when it comes to diseases of the CNS?
patients with MS typically experience visual deficits first which can indicate MS
What are the ways to evaluate CN II in clinic?
- snellin chart
- quadrant testing
- pupillary light reflex (afferent limb)
How does CN III have a visceral motor function?
edinger - westfall nucleus is parasympathetic pre-ganglionic nucleus that control the iris sphincter muscle and ciliary muscle
Which eye muscles does CN III innervate?
- levator palpebrae superioris
- medial rectus
- inferior oblique
- inferior rectus
What is the pupillary light reflex?
shine light in the eyes
- consensual response: pupil constriction in opposite eye (CN II)
- direct response: pupil constriction in same eye (CN III)
What is anisocoria?
denotes pupillary size inequality
How would damage to CN II affect the pupillary light reflex?
no relay to the lateral geniculate nucleus so opposite CN III cannot fire
How would damage to CN III affect the pupillary light reflex?
no ipsilateral contraction due to the nerve not being able to accept the relayed communication from CN II
What is a good way to remember which extra ocular muscles are innervated by a CN?
SO4, LR6, the rest are 3
Where does CN III emerge from?
midbrain
What is the role of CN IV?
innervates superior oblique muscle
What is unique about CN IV?
axons leaving the trochlear nucleus cross midline to innervate contralateral superior oblique muscles
only CN to exit dorsal brainstem
What function is CN III?
somatic motor and visceral motor
What is the function of CN IV?
somatic motor
What is the function of CN VI?
somatic motor
Where is the abducens nucleus located?
caudal pons
What does CN VI do?
innervates lateral rectus muscles
How do you evaluate CN III, IV, and VI function in clinic?
H test
- smoothness
- convergence/divergence
- pupillary light reflex
What is opthalmoplegia?
disorder of eye movement causing the paralysis of one or more of the extra ocular muscles
What is strabismus?
disorder of eye movement causing the inability to direct both eyes to the same object
What is the difference between lateral and medial strabismus?
lateral: CN III paralysis (stuck lateral)
medial: CN VI paralysis (stuck medial)