Cranial Nerves Reference Guide

Vocabulary flashcards covering the names, functions, fiber types, and clinical tips for the twelve cranial nerves as presented in the reference guide.

Olfactory Nerve (CN I)

A sensory nerve responsible for smell; clinical loss of this function is known as Anosmia.

Optic Nerve (CN II)

A sensory nerve responsible for vision; clinical assessment involves the Snellen test.

Oculomotor Nerve (CN III)

A motor nerve responsible for eye movement.

Trochlear Nerve (CN IV)

A motor nerve responsible for eye movement.

Trigeminal Nerve (CN V)

A nerve with both sensory and motor functions (facial sensation and mastication); associated clinical condition is Trigeminal neuralgia.

Abducens Nerve (CN VI)

A motor nerve that abducts the eye.

Facial Nerve (CN VII)

A nerve with both sensory and motor functions (facial expression and taste); clinical dysfunction is known as Bell palsy.

Vestibulocochlear Nerve (CN VIII)

Also known as the Auditory nerve, it is a sensory nerve responsible for hearing and balance; assessed with Rinne & Weber tests.

Glossopharyngeal Nerve (CN IX)

A nerve with both sensory and motor functions responsible for taste and the gag reflex.

Vagus Nerve (CN X)

A nerve with both sensory and motor functions responsible for the gag reflex and parasympathetic innervation.

Spinal Accessory Nerve (CN XI)

A motor nerve responsible for the shoulder shrug.

Hypoglossal Nerve (CN XII)

A motor nerve responsible for swallowing and speech.