Cranial Nerves and Anatomy of the Eye

Flashcards covering key vocabulary related to cranial nerves and the anatomy of the eye.

Cranial Nerves

Part of the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) responsible for communication between the brain and the body; there are 12 pairs.

Olfactory Nerve (I)

The cranial nerve responsible for the sense of smell.

Optic Nerve (II)

The cranial nerve that begins at the retina and provides vision.

Oculomotor Nerve (III)

Cranial nerve that innervates muscles that control eye movements.

Trigeminal Nerve (V)

Cranial nerve with three branches responsible for sensation of the face.

Facial Nerve (VII)

Cranial nerve that provides sensory information from the anterior 2/3 of the tongue and controls facial muscles.

Vestibulocochlear Nerve (VIII)

Cranial nerve responsible for hearing sounds and detecting movements.

Glossopharyngeal Nerve (IX)

Cranial nerve involved in taste from the posterior 1/3 of the tongue and swallowing.

Vagal Nerve (X)

Cranial nerve that innervates internal organs and has sensory and motor functions.

Accessory Nerve (XI)

Cranial nerve that is entirely motor and innervates neck muscles like the trapezius.

Hypoglossal Nerve (XII)

Cranial nerve that controls the muscles that move the tongue.

Cornea

Transparent cover on the anterior surface of the eyeball.

Conjunctiva

A transparent mucous membrane lining the eyelids and covering the anterior surface of the eyeball.

Cataract

Condition characterized by clouding of the lens of the eye.

Glaucoma

Condition caused by elevated pressure within the eye, potentially leading to vision loss.

Retina

Inner layer of the eye with photoreceptors (rods and cones) responsible for vision.

Optic Disc

Point where the optic nerve exits the eye, known as the blind spot.

Ophthalmoscopy

Examination of the retina using an ophthalmoscope.

Chemoreceptors

Sensory receptors that respond to chemical stimuli, essential for the senses of smell and taste.

Gustatory Epithelial Cells

Cells within taste buds responsible for detecting taste.