Cranial Nerves

Olfactory

(CN I); related to sense of smell

Optic

(CN II); carries visual information from the eyes; important for reading and for understanding sign language

Oculomotor

(CN III); eye movement; critical for both reading and perceiving sign language

Trochlear

(CN IV); moving the eye downward when the eye is already pointing inward

Trigeminal

(CN V); jaw movement

Abducens

(CN VI); responsible for moving the eye outward

Facial

(CN VII); controlling muscles involved in facial expression and lip movement

Auditory and Vestibular

(CN VIII); important for hearing and balance; it brings information from the cochlea and the semicircular canals to the brain

Glossopharyngeal

(CN IX); responsible for movement of the pharynx

Vagus

(CN X); important for moving muscles that control the larynx, as well as providing sensory information from the larynx

Spinal Accessory

(CN XI); involved in shrugging and turning your head

Hypoglossal

(CN XII); responsible for controlling movement of the tongue

What nerves are involved in taking in visual information?

Optic (CN II), Oculomotor (CN III), Trochlear (CN IV), Abducens (CN VI)

What nerves are involved in speaking and signing?

Trigeminal (CN V), Facial (CN VII), Glossopharyngeal (CN IX), Vagus (CN X), Spinal Accessory (CN XI), Hypoglossal (CN XII)

What nerves are involved in listening to spoken language?

Auditory and Vestibular (CN VIII) and Facial (CN VII)