Facing Cranial Nerve Assessment

Vocabulary flashcards for learning the 12 cranial nerves, their functions, anatomical locations, and assessment methods.

Olfactory nerve (CN I)

Located in the nose, this cranial nerve controls the sense of smell and is tested using non-harsh scents like soap, coffee, cloves, or vanilla in each nostril with eyes closed.

CN I Assessment Caution

Harsh odors like ammonia must be avoided during testing because they stimulate the intranasal pain endings of CN V.

Optic nerve (CN II)

Located in and behind the eyes, this cranial nerve controls central and peripheral vision.

Fovea

The structure located in the center of the retina responsible for visual acuity in central vision.

Oculomotor nerve (CN III)

Positioned in and behind the eyes, this cranial nerve controls pupillary constriction.

Ptosis

Drooping of the upper eyelid over the pupil, evaluated during assessment of the oculomotor nerve (CN III).

Trochlear nerve (CN IV)

The cranial nerve that acts as a pulley to move the eyes down toward the tip of the nose.

Trigeminal nerve (CN V)

The cranial nerve covering the forehead, cheek, jaw, and scalp, controlling facial sensation and motor function of the temporal and masseter muscles.

Abducens nerve (CN VI)

The cranial nerve controlling side-to-side eye movement, assessed through six cardinal fields of gaze while watching for nystagmus or twitching.

Facial nerve (CN VII)

The cranial nerve controlling facial movement and expression, assessed by observing symmetry during movements like wrinkling forehead, smiling, puckering lips, and inspecting nasolabial folds.

Acoustic nerve (CN VIII)

Located in the ears, this cranial nerve controls hearing and is tested by rubbing fingers together next to each ear.

Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) and Vagus nerve (CN X)

Cranial nerves checked together that innervate the tongue and throat; assessed via taste on the back of the tongue, swallowing ability, uvula position, and palate elevation when saying 'AHHHHHH'.

Spinal accessory nerve (CN XI)

The cranial nerve controlling neck and shoulder movement, tested by evaluating trapezius strength (shoulder shrug) and sternocleidomastoid strength (head turn).

Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)

The cranial nerve innervating the tongue, assessed by checking midline tongue protrusion and evaluating eating, swallowing, and speaking.

Cranial nerves by the numbers

A visual mnemonic diagram where numbers representing the 12 cranial nerves are drawn as facial features and neck structures corresponding to their anatomic placement and function.