Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

(LUSUMA) Head, Neck & Neuroanatomy > S5) Cranial Nerves > Flashcards

S5) Cranial Nerves Flashcards

1
Q

Which nervous system do cranial nerves contribute to?

A

Peripheral Nervous System

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

How many cranial nerves are there?

A

12 pairs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Differentiate between the distribution of cranial nerves and spinal nerves

A

Cranial nerves arise at irregular intervals from CNS rather than segments as seen in spinal nerves

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Which structure are the cranial nerves related to?

A

Brainstem

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the brainstem and what does it do?

A
  • The brainstem is a structure which adjoins the brain to the spinal cord and is continuous with spinal cord caudally
  • Vital role in regulation of cardio‐respiratory functions and maintaining consciousness
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Which part of the cranial nerves is located in the brainstem?

A

Cranial nerve nuclei

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are nuclei?

A

Nuclei are collections of the cell bodies of nerve fibres that make up the whole cranial nerve

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Cranial nerves carry 1000s of axons.

What different types of properties might they convey?

A
  • General sensory
  • Special sensory
  • Motor
  • Autonomic
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

How are cranial nerves distributed in the brainstem?

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

How are cranial nerves named?

A
  • Individual names + Roman Numeral
  • Roman numeral relates to order that they arise (rostral to caudal)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Label the 12 cranial nerves below:

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Which 2 cranial nerves come from the forebrain (cerebrum)?

A
  • Olfactory nerve
  • Optic nerve
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is unique about the optic and olfactory cranial nerves?

A

They are paired anterior extensions of forebrain rather than a ‘true’ cranial nerve

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Describe the following for the CN I Olfactory Nerve:

  • Modality
  • CNS route
  • Function
A
  • Modality: special sensory
  • CNS route: forebrain → olfactory tract → olfactory bulb → cribiform plate
  • Function: olfaction
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

How can one test the function of the CN I Olfactory Nerve?

A
  • Check for difficulties/change in sense of smell
  • Test one nostril at a time
  • Use smelling salts
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is anosmia and what is its commonest cause?

A
  • Anosmia is a loss of sense of smell
  • Commonest cause is a cold
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Other than a cold, identify 2 other events which could cause anosmia

A
  • Head injury (secondary to shearing forces and/or basilar skull fracture)
  • Intracranial tumours at base of frontal lobes (within anterior cranial fossa)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Describe the following for the CN II Optic Nerve:

  • Modality
  • CNS route
  • Function
A
  • Modality: special sensory
  • CNS route: forebrain → optic tract → middle cranial fossa (optic chiasm) → optic canal → retina
  • Function: vision
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

How can one test the function of the CN II Optic Nerve?

A
  • Test pupil responses/reflexes (using pen torches)
  • Test one eye at a time
  • Visual tests (Snellen Chart, Visual Fields)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

How can the optic nerve be seen directly?

A

Using an ophthalmoscope

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is papilloedema?

A

Papilloedema is a swollen optic disc

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What is the significance of papilloedema?

A
  • It provides evidence of raised intracranial pressure
  • Optic nerve swells because it carries an extension of meninges
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Describe the impact of lesions involving the retina/optic nerve

A

Lesions involving the retina or the optic nerve cause visual disturbances which affect only one eye

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Different lesions give very different patterns of visual loss.

Identify 3 conditions which produce optic nerve lesions

A
  • Optic neuritis
  • Pituitary tumour
  • Stroke
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Describe the course of the visual pathway
The **visual pathway** extends back from the retina towards the primary visual cortex in the occipital lobe
26
What effect do pituitary tumours have?
**Pituitary tumours** compress optic chiasm, causing bilateral visual symptoms (bitemporal hemianopia)
27
Which 2 cranial nerves come from the midbrain?
- Oculomotor nerve - Trochlear nerve
28
Describe the following for the CN III Oculomotor Nerve: - Modality - CNS route
- **Modality:** motor and autonomic - **CNS route:** midbrain → cavernous sinus → superior orbital fissure
29
Describe the motor and autonomic functions of the CN III Oculomotor Nerve
- **Motor**: innervates 4 extra-ocular muscles and LPS - **Autonomic**: innervates sphincter pupillae (pupil) & ciliary muscle (lens)
30
How can one test the function of the CN III Oculomotor Nerve?
- Inspection of eyelid and pupils - Eye movements (tests III, IV and VI) - Pupillary light reflexes
31
What can result from pathology in the oculomotor nerve?
- Pupillary dilation - Double vision (diplopia) - Severe ptosis
32
Identify 4 conditions which could cause pathology in the oculomotor nerve
- Raised intracranial pressure (tumour/haemorrhage) - Aneurysms (posterior communicating artery) - Vascular (secondary to diabetes/hypertension) - Cavernous sinus thrombosis
33
Describe the following for the CN IV Trochlear Nerve: - Modality - CNS route - Function
- **Modality:** motor - **CNS route:** midbrain → subarachnoid space → cavernous sinus → superior orbital fissure **- Function:** innervates superior oblique muscle
34
Which 2 things are unique about the trochlear nerve?
- Only nerve to emerge from the dorsal aspect of the brainstem - Longest intracranial course of any of the cranial nerves
35
How can one test the function of the CN IV Trochlear Nerve?
Eye movements (tests III, IV and VI)
36
What can result from acute injury to the trochlear nerve?
- Diplopia (rare and often subtle) - Congenital palsies (children – cause uncertain)
37
What is the most common cause for acute injury to the trochlear nerve?
Head injury
38
Which 4 cranial nerves come from the pons?
- Trigeminal Nerve - Abducens Nerve - Facial Nerve - Vestibulocochlear Nerve
39
Identify the 3 branches of the CN V Trigeminal Nerve
- Opthalmic nerve (V1) - Maxillary nerve (V2) - Mandibular nerve (V3)
40
Describe the following for the opthalmic branch of CN V Trigeminal Nerve: - Modality - CNS route - Function
- **Modality**: general sensory - **CNS route:** pons → middle cranial fossa → trigeminal cave → superior orbital fissure - **Function**: innervate scalp, forehead and nose
41
Describe the following for the maxillary branch of CN V Trigeminal Nerve: - Modality - CNS route - Function
- **Modality**: general sensory - **CNS route**: pons → middle cranial fossa → trigeminal cave → foramen rotundum - **Function:** innervates cheeks, lower eye lid, upper lip, upper teeth and palate
42
Describe the following for the mandibular branch of CN V Trigeminal Nerve: - Modality - CNS route - Function
- **Modality**: general sensory, motor - **CNS route**: pons → middle cranial fossa → trigeminal cave → foramen ovale - **Function**: innervates anterior 2/3 tongue, skin over mandible and lower teeth, muscles of mastication
43
What is a ganglion?
A **ganglion** refers to a collection of the nerve cell bodies outside the central nervous system
44
What is the trigeminal cave?
The **trigeminal cave** is a depression of the temporal bone, located lateral to the cavernous sinus
45
How can one test the function of the trigeminal nerve?
- Test dermatomal areas relating to CN V1, V2, V3 - Test muscles of mastication - Test corneal reflex
46
Identify 2 clinical conditions that cause pathology in the trigeminal nerve
- Trigeminal neuralgia - Shingles
47
Identify a nerve which arises from the maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve
Infraorbital nerve
48
Identify 3 nerves which arise from the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve
- Inferior alveolar ⇒ mental nerve - Lingual nerve
49
Describe the following for the CN VI Abducens Nerve: - Modality - CNS route - Function
- **Modality:** motor - **CNS route:** pons → subarachnoid space → cavernous sinus → superior orbital fissure - **Function**: innervates lateral rectus
50
How can one test the function of the CN VI Abducens Nerve?
Eye movements (tests III, IV and VI)
51
How does an injured abducens nerve present?
Patients present with diplopia
52
Describe the following for the CN VII Facial Nerve: - Modality - CNS route
- **Modality:** motor, special sensory, autonomic - **CNS route:** pons → internal auditory meatus → petrous part of temporal bone → base of skull
53
Describe the motor, special sensory and autonomic functions of the CN VII facial nerve
- **Motor** – innervates muscles of facial expression - **SS** – taste anterior 2/3 tongue - **Autonomic** – lacrimal, submandibular, sublingual glands and mucous glands of mouth and nose
54
How many branches does the facial nerve have?
Seven key branches: - 5 extracranial - 2 intracranial (within petrous)
55
How can one test the function of the CN VII Facial Nerve?
- Muscles of facial expression - Corneal reflex (efferent limb) - Taste (anterior 2/3 tongue)
56
Describe the anatomical relationships of the facial nerve
- Associated with **vestibulocochlear nerve** within posterior cranial fossa and as both enter the IAM - Associated with **middle ear** during its course through petrous temporal bone - Associated with **parotid gland**
57
Identify an idiopathic facial nerve palsy
58
Describe the following for the CN VIII Vestibulocochlear Nerve: - Modality - CNS route - Function
- **Modality:** special sensory - **CNS route:** pons → cerebellopontine angle → internal acoustic meatus - **Function**: hearing/balance
59
How can one test the function of the CN VIII Vestibulocochlear Nerve?
- Test hearing - Enquire about balance
60
What is the result of damage involving the vestibulocochlear nerve, its brainstem, nucleus or cochlea?
- Hearing loss (sensorineural) - Disturbance of balance (vertigo) - Nystagmus (uncontrolled eye movement)
61
What is presbyacusis?
**Presbyacusis** is old‐age related hearing loss
62
What are acoustic neuromas?
**Acoustic neuromas** are benign tumours of the Schwann cells surrounding the vestibular component of CN VIII
63
The physical presence of acoustic neuromas cause the compression of the whole vestibulocochlear nerve. Identify 5 signs and symptoms
- Unilateral hearing loss - Tinnitus - Vertigo - Numbness - Pain or weakness down one half of face
64
Which 4 cranial nerves come from the medulla?
- Glossopharyngeal Nerve - Vagus Nerve - Accessory Nerve - Hypoglossal Nerve
65
Describe the following for the CN IX Glossopharyngeal Nerve: - Modality - CNS route
- **Modality**: general sensory, special sensory, autonomic, motor - **CNS route:** medulla → posterior cranial fossa → jugular foramen
66
What are the general sensory functions of the glossopharyngeal nerve?
- General sensation of soft palate, tonsils and oropharynx - Innervation of middle ear and tympanic membrane
67
What are the special sensory functions of the glossopharyngeal nerve?
- Sensory from carotid body and sinus - Taste and general sensation post. 1/3 tongue
68
What is the motor function of the glossopharyngeal nerve?
Innervates stylopharyngeus muscle
69
What is the autonomic function of the glossopharyngeal nerve?
Innervates parotid gland
70
How do one test the function of the CN IX Glossopharyngeal Nerve?
- Gag reflex (sensory limb) - Taste not formally tested - Tested in conjunction with CN X
71
Describe the following for the CN X Vagus Nerve: - Modality - CNS route
- **Modality**: general sensory, motor, autonomic - **CNS route**: medulla → jugular foramen → carotid sheath
72
Identify 3 functions of the CN X Vagus Nerve
- **Sensory innervation** to lower pharynx, and larynx - **Motor innervation** to muscles of soft palate, pharynx, larynx - **Parasympathetic innervation** to thoracic and abdominal viscera
73
How can one test the function of the vagus nerve?
- Noting speech - Swallow and cough - Observe uvula (say 'ahh') - Gag reflex (efferent limb)
74
What could result from injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve branch of the vagus nerve?
- Hoarseness - Dysphonia (difficulty speaking)
75
Describe the following for the CN XI Accessory Nerve: - Modality - CNS route - Function
- **Modality**: motor - **CNS route:** I. Cranial part – medulla → jugular foramen → joins the vagus nerve II. Spinal part – medulla → foramen magnum → jugular foramen - **Function:** spinal part supplies the sternocleidomastoid & trapezius
76
How can one test the function of the CN XI Accessory Nerve?
- Shrug shoulders against resistance - Turn head against resistance
77
The spinal accessory nerve runs down through neck in posterior triangle. What is the clinical significance of this?
It is susceptible to injury in this area *e.g. in lymph node biopsies, surgery, stab wound*
78
Describe the following for the CN XII Hypoglossal Nerve: - Modality - CNS route - Function
- **Modality**: motor - **CNS route**: medulla → posterior cranial fossa → hypoglossal canal - **Function**: innervates muscles of tongue
79
How can one test the function of the CN XII Hypoglossal nerve?
Inspection and movement of the tongue
80
Damage to the hypoglossal nerve is rare. Regardless, state the impact of such a damage
Weakness and atrophy of the tongue muscles on ipsilateral side
81
Identify the 5 cranial nerves and the specific artery which pass through the cavernous sinus
82
Identify another nervous structure which is closely associated with the cavernous sinus
**Trigeminal ganglion** – located lateral to the cavernous sinus
83
What is a cavernous sinus thrombosis?
A **cavernous sinus thrombosis** is a blood clot in the cavernous sinus
84
How might a cavernous sinus thrombosis arise?
- Develops when an infection in the face/skull spreads to the cavernous sinuses - The blood clot develops to prevent the infection spreading further, but restricts the blood flow from the brain

(LUSUMA) Head, Neck & Neuroanatomy (19 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions