
Full Answer
What is the function of each cranial nerve?
Each cranial nerve has a specific set of functions. Some of the cranial nerves control sensation, some control muscle movement, and some have both sensory and motor effects. Several of the cranial nerves run through bones in the skull.
What cranial nerves originate from the cerebrum?
Two of the cranial nerves, the optic nerve and the olfactory nerve, originate from the cerebrum. The accessory nerve has a nucleus in the spinal cord. The rest of the cranial nerves originate from the brain stem.
How many pairs of cranial nerves are attached to the brain?
There are 12 pairs of cranial nerves attached to the brain. The cranial nerves are named after the body parts that they serve, and are also assigned Roman numerals, based off their location from front to back. S ome S ay M arry M oney B ut M y B rother S ays B ig B rains M atter M ore
Which nerve is closest to the front of the head?
For example, your olfactory nerve is closest to the front of your head, so it’s designated as I. Their functions are usually categorized as being either sensory or motor. Sensory nerves are involved with your senses, such as smell, hearing, and touch.

Which cranial nerve controls the pathway to the brain and which cranial nerve controls the pathway to the iris?
The oculomotor nerve (the third cranial nerve; CN III) has three main motor functions: Innervation to the pupil and lens (autonomic, parasympathetic)
What is the pathway of the cranial nerves?
Simply put, cranial nerves connect centrally to cranial nerve nuclei which is where cranial motor nerves begin, or where cranial sensory nerves terminate. Remember, nerve fibers leaving the brain are considered efferent fibers, where nerves fibers entering the brain are considered afferent fibers.
What do the 12 cranial nerves control?
The cranial nerves are a set of 12 paired nerves in the back of your brain. Cranial nerves send electrical signals between your brain, face, neck and torso. Your cranial nerves help you taste, smell, hear and feel sensations. They also help you make facial expressions, blink your eyes and move your tongue.
What type of nerve connects directly to the brain?
Cranial nerves are the nerves that emerge directly from the brain (including the brainstem), in contrast to spinal nerves (which emerge from segments of the spinal cord). Cranial nerves relay information between the brain and parts of the body, primarily to and from regions of the head and neck.
What is cranial nerve II?
The optic nerve is the second cranial nerve (CN II) responsible for transmitting visual information. The optic nerve contains only afferent (sensory) fibers, and like all cranial nerves is paired.
How do you remember nerve pathways?
1:053:02How to Remember the Cranial Nerves (Mnemonic) - MEDZCOOL - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOur trusty truck acts funny.MoreOur trusty truck acts funny.
What does the 11th cranial nerve do?
This nerve supplies the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles, which have the following functions: Rotation of head away from the side of the contracting sternocleidomastoid muscle. Tilting of the head toward the contracting sternocleidomastoid muscle. Flexion of the neck by both sternocleidomastoid muscles.
What does the 8th cranial nerve control?
Cranial nerve VIII brings sound and information about one's position and movement in space into the brain. The auditory and vestibular systems subserve several functions basic to clinical medicine and to psychiatry.
Where is the 8th cranial nerve located?
The vestibulocochlear nerve is located in the internal auditory meatus (internal auditory canal). The nerve is responsible for equilibrium and hearing. Conditions of the vestibulocochlear nerve include vestibular neuritis, labyrinthitis, and acoustic neuroma.
What is a function of cranial nerve Five?
The trigeminal nerve is the fifth cranial nerve (CN V). Its primary function is to provide sensory and motor innervation to the face. The trigeminal nerve consists of three branches on either side that extend to different territories of the face.
Which nerves are attached to the brain and emerge from the skull?
Explanation: Cranial Nerves are attached to the brain and emerge from the skull.
Where is 7th cranial nerve located?
brainstemWhere is the 7th Cranial Nerve located? The two 7th Cranial Nerves (CN VII) are located on either side of the brainstem, at the top of the medulla. They are mixed cranial nerves with BOTH sensory and motor function. CN VII controls the face and is mainly FACE MOVEMENT with some face sensation.
How do I remember the 12 cranial nerves?
There are many mnemonics a person can use to remember the 12 cranial nerves. One example is: "Oh Oh Oh To Touch And Feel Very Good Velvet — Ah, Hea...
Which cranial nerve is largest?
The vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve as it starts in the medulla — the bottom part of the brain — and extends to the abdomen.
Which is the shortest nerve?
The shortest cranial nerve is the trochlear nerve, as it has the lowest number of axons.