CN I: Olfactory: Sense of smell
CN II: Optic: Vision
CN III: Oculomotor: Most eye movements, raising the eyelid, pupil constriction
CN IV: Trochlear: Moves the eye down and in (superior oblique muscle)
CN V: Trigeminal: Face sensation and chewing muscles
CN VI: Abducens: Moves the eye outward
CN VII: Facial: Facial expression, taste from the front of the tongue, tears and saliva
CN VIII: Vestibulocochlear: Hearing and balance
CN IX: Glossopharyngeal: Taste at the back of the tongue, swallowing, gag reflex
CN X: Vagus: Heart rate, digestion, voice box and much of the organs below the neck
CN XI: Accessory: Moves the shoulders and turns the head
CN XII: Hypoglossal: Moves the tongue
Sensory cranial nerves: I, II and VIII are purely sensory
Motor cranial nerves: III, IV, VI, XI and XII are mainly motor
Mixed cranial nerves: V, VII, IX and X carry both sensory and motor signals
Mnemonic for names: On Old Olympus's Towering Tops, A Finn And German Viewed Some Hops
Mnemonic for sensory/motor: Some Say Marry Money, But My Brother Says Big Brains Matter Most
Which nerve smells?: Olfactory (I)
Which nerve sees?: Optic (II)
Which nerve hears?: Vestibulocochlear (VIII)
Which nerve moves the tongue?: Hypoglossal (XII)
Which nerve shrugs the shoulders?: Accessory (XI)
Which nerve is the longest wandering one?: Vagus (X)
Which nerve moves the eye outward?: Abducens (VI)
Which nerve feels the face?: Trigeminal (V)
Which nerve smiles?: Facial (VII)
Which nerves control the pupil?: Oculomotor (III) constricts the pupil
Trigeminal branches: Ophthalmic, maxillary and mandibular
Facial nerve palsy: Weakness of one side of the face from damage to nerve VII
Parasympathetic cranial nerves: III, VII, IX and X carry parasympathetic fibers
Cranial nerve count: Twelve pairs, arising from the brain and brainstem
Extraocular muscle nerves: III, IV and VI
Taste nerves: VII, IX and X
Swallowing nerves: IX and X
Gag reflex nerves: IX (sensory) and X (motor)
Where do the cranial nerves attach?: To the brain or brainstem, not the spinal cord
Cribriform plate: Skull part the olfactory nerve fibers pass through
Optic chiasm: Where optic nerves cross partly on the way to the brain
Superior orbital fissure: Opening where nerves III, IV, VI and part of V enter the eye socket
Foramen magnum: Opening where the spinal cord exits the skull, and nerve XI enters
Jugular foramen: Opening that nerves IX, X and XI pass through
Corneal reflex: Blink when the cornea is touched; uses nerves V and VII
Pupillary light reflex: Pupil narrows in bright light; uses nerves II and III
Vestibulo-ocular reflex: Eyes stay steady when the head moves; uses nerve VIII
Bell's palsy: Sudden weakness of the facial muscles on one side
Trigeminal neuralgia: Severe sharp facial pain linked to nerve V
Anosmia: Loss of the sense of smell
Dysphagia: Difficulty swallowing
Diplopia: Double vision
Ptosis: Drooping of the upper eyelid
Tinnitus: Ringing in the ears
Vertigo: A sense that the world is spinning
Nystagmus: Involuntary rhythmic eye movement
Strabismus: Misaligned eyes
Lacrimal gland: Makes tears; controlled by nerve VII
Parotid gland: Largest salivary gland; controlled by nerve IX
Sternocleidomastoid and trapezius: Muscles supplied by nerve XI
Muscles of mastication: Chewing muscles supplied by nerve V
Muscles of facial expression: Supplied by nerve VII
Intrinsic tongue muscles: Supplied by nerve XII
Carotid body sensors: Sensory input via nerve IX monitoring blood oxygen
Vestibular branch: Part of nerve VIII for balance
Cochlear branch: Part of nerve VIII for hearing
Cranial nerve exam: Clinical test checking each of the twelve nerves
Cranial nerves vs. spinal nerves: Twelve pairs from the brain versus 31 pairs from the spinal cord

Free flashcards from Peabody at peabody.kids/flashcards/tp-anat-cranial-nerves