Summary of the cranial nerves

Question 1

what are the cranial nerves?

Answer 1

set of 12 paired nerves that arise directly from the brain

Question 2

what are the first 2 nerves and where do they arise from?

Answer 2

olfactory (I) + optic (II)

arise from cerebrum

Question 3

what is the cerebrum?

Answer 3

anterior part of the brain, located in the front area of the skull and consisting of two hemispheres

Question 4

where do the remaining 10 cranial nerves arise from?

Answer 4

brainstem (III-XII)

Question 5

which part of the brainstem can cranial nerves III-XII arise from?

Answer 5

midbrain, pons or medulla

or from a junction between 2 parts

Question 6

where does the trochlear nerve (IV) arise?

Answer 6

from posterior side of midbrain

Question 7

what is special about the trochlear nerve (IV)?

Answer 7

has the longest intracranial length of all the cranial nerves

Question 8

where does the oculomotor (III) nerve arise?

Answer 8

arises from the midbrain-pontine junction

Question 9

where does the trigeminal (V) nerve arise?

Answer 9

pons

Question 10

which nerves arise from the pontine-medullar junction?

Answer 10

abducens, facial, vestibulocochlear (VI-VIII) 6-8

Question 11

which nerves arise POSTerior to the olive of medulla oblongata?

Answer 11

glossopharyngeal, vagus, accessory (IX-XI) 9-11

Question 12

which nerves arise ANTerior to the olive of the medulla oblongata?

Answer 12

hypoglossal (XII)

Question 13

how are the cranial nerves numbered?

Answer 13

by their location on the brain stem (superior to inferior, then medial to lateral)
and the order they exit from the cranium (anterior to posterior)

Question 14

what is a mnemonic to remember the 12 cranial nerves?

Answer 14

Oh Oh Oh To Touch And Feel A Girl’s Vagina, Ah Heaven

Question 15

what are the 12 cranial nerves?

Answer 15

Olfactory
Optic
Oculomotor
Trochlear
Trigeminal
Abducens
Facial
vestibulocochleAr
Glossopharyngeal
Vagus
Accessory
Hypoglossal

Question 16

which foramina does the olfactory nerve (CN I) leave the skull base?

Answer 16

cribriform plate

Question 17

which foramina does the optic nerve (CN II) leave the skull base?

Answer 17

optic canal

Question 18

which nerves leave the skull base at ‘superior orbital fissure’?

Answer 18

oculomotor nerve (CN III) 3
trochlear nerve (CN IV) 4
opthalmic nerve (CN V1) 5.1
abducens nerve (CN VI) 6

Question 19

where does the maxillary nerve leave the skull base? nerve root?

Answer 19

foramen rotundum (CN V2)

Question 20

where does the mandibular nerve leave the skull base? nerve root?

Answer 20

CN V3

foramen ovale

Question 21

which nerves leave the skull base via the ‘internal acoustic meatus’?

Answer 21

facial nerve (CN VII) 7
vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII) 8

Question 22

which nerves leaves the skull base via the jugular foramen?

Answer 22

glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) 9
vagus nerve (CN X) 10
accessory nerve (CN XI) 11

Question 23

where does the hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) leave the skull base?

Answer 23

hypoglossal canal (by the foramen magnum)

Question 24

which are the only cranial nerves to pass through canals?

Answer 24

cranial nerves with the number 2 in them (optic - 2, hypoglossal - 12) exit through the canal of the SAME NAME

Question 25

what is the mnemonic for remember the cranial nerve type?

Answer 25

Some Say Money Matters, But My Brother Says Big Boobs Matter Most

Question 26

what does S, M, and B stand for in cranial nerve type?

Answer 26

S = sensory
M = motor
B = both