Nerve supply of head + neck

Question 1

Outline

Answer 1

The head is supplied by 12 pairs of cranial nerves. they all branch off from the brain, one from each pair supplying the left + right sides

Question 2

The nerves

Answer 2

which make muscles + glands work are called motor nerves + they carry electrical impulses from the brain to effect contraction of the muscles or secretion from the glands.

Question 3

The nerves which convey pain + other sensations

Answer 3

are called sensory nerves + they carry electrical stimulation from the body tissues (including teeth) to the brain.
cranial nerves are either motor or sensory or combination of both

Question 4

Trigeminal nerve

Answer 4

the fifth (V) cranial nerve, supplying teeth + surrounding soft tissues + muscles of mastication

Question 5

Facial nerve

Answer 5

the seventh (VII) cranial nerve, supplying some taste sensations, some salivary glands + muscles of facial expression

Question 6

Glossopharyngeal nerve

Answer 6

the ninth (IX) cranial nerve, supplying some taste sensations, the parotid salivary glands + muscles of the pharynx

Question 7

Hypoglossal nerve

Answer 7

the 12th (XII) cranial nerve, supplying the muscles of the anterior two-thirds of the tongue

Question 8

The nomenclature used to name various nerves

Answer 8

follows that used in other areas of anatomy, anterior + posterior meaning front + back.
superior + inferior meaning upper + lower

Question 9

Trigeminal nerve

Answer 9

(splits into 3 divisions)
Ophthalmic division - sensory supply of soft tissues around the eye + upper face
Maxillary division - sensory supply of upper teeth, maxilla + middle area of the face
Mandibular division - sensory supply of lower teeth, mandible + lower area of face + motor supply to the muscles of mastication + some of the suprahyoids