Cranial Nerves A&P

Olfactory Nerve (I)

responsible for sense of smell (sensory)

optic nerve (II)

responsible for vision (sensory)

oculomotor nerve (III)

controls most eye movements, raises upper eyelid, and constricts the pupil (motor)

Trochlear nerve (IV)

controls the superior oblique muscle, allowing eye to move downward and inward (motor)

trigemenial nerve (V)

provides sensation to the face and controls muscles used for chewing (sensory/motor)

abducens nerve (VI)

controls the lateral rectus muscle allowing eye to move laterally (away from nose) (motor)

facial nerve (VII)

controls the muscles of facial expression, carries taste from anterior two-thirds of tongue, and stimulates the lacrimal and salivary glands (sensory/motor)

vestibulocochlear nerve (VIII)

responsible for hearing and balance (sensory)

glossopharyngeal nerve (IX)

carries taste from the posterior one-third of the tongue, helps with swallowing, and monitors blood pressure and blood oxygen levels (sensory/motor)

vagus nerve (X)

provides parasympathetic control to many organs in the thorax and abdomen, helping regulate heart rate, breathing, and digestion. also helps with swallowing and speech (sensory/motor)

accessory nerve (XI)

controls the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles allowing movement of head neck and shoulders (motor)

hypoglossal nerve (XII)

controls the muscles of the tongue, allowing tongue movement for speech and swallowing (motor)