CNS, Cranial Nerve, & Spinal Nerves: Cranial Nerves

olfactory nerve (I)

sensory, smell

optic nerve (II)

sensory, vision

oculomotor nerve (III)

motor and parasympathetic, eye movement, upper eyelid elevation, and pupil contraction

trochlear nerve (IV)

motor, superior oblique eye movement (eye in and down)

trigeminal nerve (V)

mixed; sensation of the face and control of chewing movements

ophthalmic branch

smallest, purely sensory; carries sensory signals for upper face, eyes, and interior cranial structures to brain

maxillary branch

intermediate, purely sensory; carries sensory signals from midface to brain

mandibular branch

largest, mixed; supplies muscles of mastication and swallowing related muscles, and carries sensory signals to lower 1/3 of face, lower teeth, lower gums, anterior tongue, and outer ear

abducens nerve (VI)

motor; lateral eye movement (outward)

facial nerve (VII)

mixed; manages facial expressions, taste on the anterior 2/3 of tongue, and tear/salivary gland secretion

frontal (temporal) branch

largest branch; provides general sensory innervation to skin of forehead, scalp, upper eyelid, and mucosa of frontal sinus

zygomatic branch

second division; provides sensory feeling to skin of upper cheek and temple; carries hidden nerve signals that help make tears

buccal branch

largest motor; provides motor control to several critical muscles of facial expression

marginal mandibular branch

terminal branch; controls movement of muscles of lower lip and chin

cervical branch

terminal branch; provides motor supply to platysma (wrinkling skin of neck and depressing the corner of mouth)

vestibulocochlear nerve (VIII)

sensory; hearing and balance

glossopharyngeal nerve (IX)

mixed; taste on posterior 1/3 of tongue, swallowing muscle, and parotid intestine

vagus nerve (X)

mixed; regulates heart rate, digestion, and visceral functions down to large intestine; largest cranial nerve

accessory nerve (XI)

motor; controls neck and shoulder movements (sternocleidomastoid and traps)

hypoglossal nerve (XII)

motor; tongue movements