Cranial Nerves -Detailed description of function of cranial nerves

Cranial Nerves -Detailed description of function of cranial
nerves
Names of Cranial Nerves
CN I: Olfactory - Sensory
CN II: Optic - Sensory
CN III: Oculomotor - Motor
CN IV: Trochlear - Motor
CN V: Trigeminal - Both
CN VI: Abducens - Motor
CN VII: Facial - Both
CN VIII: Vestibulocochlear - Sensory
CN IX: Glossopharyngeal - Both
CN X: Vagus - Both
CN XI: Accessory - Motor
CN XII: Hypoglossal - Motor
Cranial Nerve I: Olfactory
Sensory - Sense of smell
Olfactory receptors in nasal cavity to olfactory nerve tracts to olfactory area in temporal
lobe of brain
Cranial Nerve II: Optic
Sensory - Vision
Visual signals begin in the retina
Passes to neurons forming optic nerves, which
merge to form the optic chiasm
Optic chiasm divides into optic tracts
Optic tracts travel to thalamus and then to occipital lobe
Cranial Nerve III: Oculomotor
Motor (mostly) - Moves eyes
Accommodation of lens for near vision
Constriction of the iris in response to light
Sensory proprioceptive information from the eyes
Cranial Nerve IV: Trochlear
Motor (mostly) - Moves eyes
Only cranial nerve arising from posterior brain stem and crossing midline after leaving
brain stem
Eye movements
Sensory proprioceptive impulses from eyes
Cranial Nerve V: Trigeminal
Both - Chews food; feels front of head
Largest cranial nerve
Forms three branches - Ophthalmic, Maxillary & Mandibular
Sensory info: touch, pain, temp from face
Motor information for chewing muscles
Cranial Nerve VI: Abducens