Cranial Nerves by Type, Origin, and Function

CN l - Olfactory

• Type: Sensory

• Origin: Forebrain

• Function: Transmits information about smell

CN ll - Optic

• Type: Sensory

• Origin: Diancephalon

• Function: Transmits info about vision to the brain

CN lll - Oculomotor

• Type: Motor

• Origin: Midbrain

• Function: Eye Movement

CN lV - Trochlear

• Type: Motor

• Origin: Midbrain

• Function: Eye Movement

CN V - Trigeminal

• Type: Motor and Sensory

• Origin: Pons

• Function:

  • The main sensory nerve of the head, provides info on touch/pain/temperature

  • Muscles of mastication

  • Tensor tympani (the acoustic reflex)

  • Pressure changes of the inner ear

CN Vl - Abducens

• Type: Motor

• Origin: Pons

• Function: Lateral eye movement

CN Vll - Facial

• Type: Motor and Sensory

• Origin: Pons

• Function:

  • Muscles of facial expression

  • Muscles for swallowing and jaw movement

  • Muscles of the external ear

  • Sensory info from outer ear

  • Sense of taste for anterior 2/3 of the tongue

CN Vlll - Vestibulochoclear

• Type: Sensory

• Origin: Pons

• Function:

  • Hearing

  • Balance

  • Maintaining and upright posture

CN lX - Glossopharyngeal

• Type: Motor and Sensory

• Origin: Medulla

• Function:

  • Motor for muscles for swallowing

  • Provides sense of taste for posterior 1/3 of the tongue

CN X - Vagus

• Type: Motor and Sensory

• Origin: Medulla

• Function: Controls muscles for the pharynx, soft palate, and larynx

CN Xl - Accessory

• Type: Motor

• Origin: Medulla

• Function:

  • Controls two muscles of the neck and shoulders

  • Supporting role for speech and swallow function

CN Xll - Hypoglossal

• Type: Motor

• Origin: Medulla

• Function: Lingual strength of range of motion