Lab 2.2: Cranial Nerves

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the names, functions (sensory/motor), and exit foramina of the 12 pairs of cranial nerves as presented in KINS 1110 Lab 2.

Olfactory Nerve (CN I)

A sensory nerve responsible for the sense of smell (olfaction); its filaments pass through the cribriform plate to the olfactory bulb.

Optic Nerve (CN II)

A sensory nerve responsible for vision; it passes through the optic canal and forms the optic chiasma and optic tract.

Oculomotor Nerve (CN III)

A motor nerve that controls most eye muscles (superior, medial, and inferior rectus; inferior oblique) and the levator palpebrae superioris; it also contains parasympathetic fibers for the ciliary ganglion.

Trochlear Nerve (CN IV)

A motor nerve that supplies the superior oblique muscle of the eye; it passes through the superior orbital fissure.

Trigeminal Nerve (CN V)

A mixed nerve with three branches—Ophthalmic ($V_1$), Maxillary ($V_2$), and Mandibular ($V_3$); it provides general sensation to the face and motor control for muscles of mastication.

Abducens Nerve (CN VI)

A motor nerve that innervates the lateral rectus muscle, which is responsible for abducting the eye.

Facial Nerve (CN VII)

A mixed nerve responsible for taste (anterior part of tongue), muscles of facial expression, and parasympathetic control of submandibular and sublingual glands.

Vestibulocochlear Nerve (CN VIII)

A sensory nerve comprising the vestibular branch (balance) and cochlear branch (hearing), originating from the inner ear.

Glossopharyngeal Nerve (CN IX)

A mixed nerve providing taste to the posterior tongue, sensory input from the pharynx and tonsils, and motor control to pharyngeal musculature and the parotid gland.

Vagus Nerve (CN X)

A mixed nerve with extensive parasympathetic distribution to the heart, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract; it also provides sensory input from these organs and the external ear.

Accessory Nerve (CN XI)

A motor nerve, also known as the Spinal Accessory Nerve, that innervates the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles.

Hypoglossal Nerve (CN XII)

A motor nerve that controls the muscles of the tongue, including the genioglossus muscle.

Cribriform plate

A structure of the ethmoid bone with small olfactory foramina that allow the filaments of the olfactory nerve (CN I) to pass into the nasal cavity.

Superior Orbital Fissure

A passageway in the skull for the Oculomotor (III), Trochlear (IV), Ophthalmic ($V_1$), and Abducens (VI) nerves.

Jugular Foramen

A skull opening that serves as the passageway for the Glossopharyngeal (IX), Vagus (X), and Accessory (XI) nerves, as well as the internal jugular vein.

Trochlea

An anatomical structure that resembles a pulley, specifically used by the superior oblique muscle.

Foramen Rotundum

The specific foramen in the skull through which the Maxillary branch ($V_2$) of the Trigeminal nerve passes.

Foramen Ovale

The specific foramen in the skull through which the Mandibular branch ($V_3$) of the Trigeminal nerve passes.

Stylomastoid Foramen

The exit point for the Facial nerve (CN VII) from the skull.

Genioglossus Muscle

A paired muscle of the tongue; contraction of both sides sticks the tongue out in the midline, while weakness on one side causes the tongue to deviate toward the weak side.

Hypoglossal Canal

The skeletal passageway for the Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII).

Crista Galli

A bony ridge on the ethmoid bone located between the bilateral olfactory bulbs.

Mixed Nerve (Type B)

A nerve that performs both sensory and motor functions (e.g., CN V, VII, IX, and X).