Cranial nerves- function

I, Olfactory

Receives sensory information from the nose

II, Optic

Receives sensory information from the eye, transmitting the sense of vision to the brain

III, Oculomotor

Transmits motor information to move the eye muscles, particularly to the medial, superior, and inferior rectus muscles and to the inferior oblique muscles

IV, trochlear

Transmits motor information to move the eye muscles, particularly the superior oblique muscle

V, trigeminal

A three branches nerve; transmits both sensory information from and motor information to the head

VI, Abducens

A motor nerve; moves the eye muscles, particularly the lateral rectus muscle

VII, facial

Receives sensory information from the anterior tongue and takes motor information to the head muscles

VIII, Vestibulocochlear

Receives sensory information from the ear; the vestibular part transmits equilibrium information and the cochleae part transmits acoustic information

IX, Glossopharyngeal

A mixed nerve of the tongue and throat, receives information on taste

X, Vagus

Receives sensory information from abdomen, thorax, neck, and root of tongue; transmits motor information to pharynx and larynx; controls autonomic functions of heart, digestive organs, spleen and kidneys.

XI, accessory

A motor nerve to the muscles of the neck; moves the head

XII, Hypoglossal

A motor nerve to the tongue