A & P Nerves functions study

Olfactory nerve – sensory function

Olfaction (smell)

Olfactory nerve – somatic motor function

None

Olfactory nerve – parasympathetic function

None

Optic nerve – sensory function

Vision

Optic nerve – somatic motor function

None

Optic nerve – parasympathetic function

None

Oculomotor nerve – sensory function

None

Oculomotor nerve – somatic motor function

Moves medial rectus, superior rectus, inferior rectus, inferior oblique, and elevates eyelid (levator palpebrae superioris)

Oculomotor nerve – parasympathetic function

Constricts pupil (sphincter pupillae) and rounds lens for near vision (ciliary muscles)

Trochlear nerve – sensory function

None

Trochlear nerve – somatic motor function

Moves superior oblique eye muscle

Trochlear nerve – parasympathetic function

None

Trigeminal nerve – sensory function

General sensory from anterior scalp, nasal cavity, nasopharynx, face, oral cavity, teeth, anterior two‑thirds of tongue, part of auricle, and meninges

Trigeminal nerve – somatic motor function

Muscles of mastication, mylohyoid, anterior belly of digastric, tensor tympani, tensor veli palatini

Trigeminal nerve – parasympathetic function

None

Abducens nerve – sensory function

None

Abducens nerve – somatic motor function

Moves lateral rectus eye muscle

Abducens nerve – parasympathetic function

None

Facial nerve – sensory function

Taste from anterior two‑thirds of tongue

Facial nerve – somatic motor function

Muscles of facial expression, posterior belly of digastric, stylohyoid, stapedius

Facial nerve – parasympathetic function

Increases secretion from lacrimal gland, submandibular gland, and sublingual salivary glands

Vestibulocochlear nerve – sensory function

Hearing (cochlear branch) and equilibrium (vestibular branch)

Vestibulocochlear nerve – somatic motor function

None

Vestibulocochlear nerve – parasympathetic function

None

Glossopharyngeal nerve – sensory function

Taste and general sensation from posterior one‑third of tongue; sensory from pharynx; visceral sensory from carotid bodies

Glossopharyngeal nerve – somatic motor function

Stylopharyngeus muscle

Glossopharyngeal nerve – parasympathetic function

Increases secretion from parotid salivary gland

Vagus nerve – sensory function

Visceral sensory from thoracic and most abdominal organs; general sensory from external acoustic meatus, tympanic membrane, part of pharynx, laryngopharynx, and larynx

Vagus nerve – somatic motor function

Most pharyngeal muscles; all laryngeal muscles

Vagus nerve – parasympathetic function

Innervates cardiac muscle, smooth muscle, and glands of most thoracic and abdominal organs

Accessory nerve – sensory function

None

Accessory nerve – somatic motor function

Trapezius muscle; sternocleidomastoid muscle

Accessory nerve – parasympathetic function

None

Hypoglossal nerve – sensory function

None

Hypoglossal nerve – somatic motor function

Intrinsic and extrinsic tongue muscles

Hypoglossal nerve – parasympathetic function

None