Nerves of the Head and Neck Flashcards

Flashcards for reviewing the anatomy of nerves in the head and neck region, covering cranial nerves, cervical plexus, and related structures.

What are the sources of nerve supply to the head and neck region?

Cranial nerves, cervical plexus, cervical part of sympathetic chain, and parasympathetic ganglion and nerves.

How many pairs of cranial nerves are there?

12

Name the 12 cranial nerves in order.

Olfactory, Optic, Oculomotor, Trochlear, Trigeminal, Abducent, Facial, Vestibule-cochlear, Glossopharyngeal, Vagus, Accessory, Hypoglossal

From which part of the brain do the Olfactory and Optic nerves originate?

Forebrain

From which part of the brain do the Oculomotor and Trochlear nerves originate?

Midbrain

From which part of the brain do the Trigeminal, Abducent, Facial, and Vestibule-cochlear nerves originate?

Pons

From which part of the brain do the Glossopharyngeal, Vagus, Accessory, and Hypoglossal nerves originate?

Medulla

What type of nerve are the Olfactory, Optic, and Vestibule-cochlear nerves?

Sensory

What type of nerve are the Trochlear, Abducent, Accessory, and Hypoglossal nerves?

Motor

What type of nerve are the Oculomotor, Trigeminal, Facial, Glossopharyngeal, and Vagus nerves?

Mixed

Through which structure does the Olfactory nerve pass?

Cribriform plate of ethmoid

Through which structure does the Optic nerve pass?

Optic canal

Through which structure does the Oculomotor nerve pass?

Superior orbital fissure

Through which structure does the Trochlear nerve pass?

Superior orbital fissure

Through which structure does the Maxillary branch of the Trigeminal nerve pass?

Foramen rotundum

Through which structure does the Mandibular branch of the Trigeminal nerve pass?

Foramen ovale

Through which structure does the Vestibule-cochlear nerve pass?

Internal auditory meatus

Through which structure does the Facial nerve pass?

Stylomastoid foramen

Through which structure does the Glossopharyngeal nerve pass?

Jugular foramen

Through which structure does the Vagus nerve pass?

Jugular foramen

Through which structure does the Accessory nerve pass?

Jugular foramen

Through which structure does the hypoglossal nerve pass?

Hypoglossal canal

What is the function of the Olfactory nerve?

Carries smell sensation.

What is the function of the Optic nerve?

Carries visual sensation.

What is the function of the Oculomotor nerve?

Motor to most of the extra-ocular muscles and parasympathetic to ciliary muscle and sphincter pupillae muscle.

What is the function of the Trochlear nerve?

Motor to one muscle of the eye (superior oblique).

What is the function of the Trigeminal nerve?

Sensory to greater part of scalp, face, orbit, nasal cavity and oral cavity; motor to muscles of mastication, anterior belly of digastric, mylohyoid, tensor palati, and tensor tympani muscles.

Where does the Trigeminal Nerve originate?

Pons

Why is the trigeminal nerve notable among the cranial nerves?

It is the thickest cranial nerve.

What are the nuclei of the Trigeminal nerve?

Motor nucleus, main sensory nucleus, spinal nucleus, and mesencephalic nucleus.

What are the roots of the Trigeminal nerve?

Small motor root and large sensory root.

What are the three divisions of the Trigeminal nerve?

Ophthalmic, maxillary, and mandibular.

What is the function of the Abducent nerve?

Motor to one muscle of the eye (lateral rectus).

Where does the abducent nerve originate?

Pons

Where does the trigeminal ganglion lie?

It lies at the apex of the petrous bone within a dural fold (cavum trigeminale).