The Cranial Nerves List consists of 12 pairs of nerves that emanate from the brain, playing a vital role in sustaining essential bodily functions. These nerves have diverse functions, including transmitting sensory information, regulating muscle activity, and overseeing the functioning of glands and internal organs.
These cranial nerves are responsible for conveying information from the brain to various parts of the body, particularly the head and neck regions. Present in pairs on both sides of the body, they play a pivotal role in facilitating functions such as olfaction, vision, hearing, and muscle coordination. In contrast to spinal nerves, cranial nerves originate directly from the brain and exit through its foramina. The majority of these nerves have their origins in the brainstem and extend through the muscles and sensory organs in the head and neck. Consequently, cranial nerves are primarily associated with the head, neck, and other facial regions of the body.
Cranial Nerves List
The 12 cranial nerves are designated Roman numerals according to their sequential emergence from the brain, starting from the front and concluding at the back. Although cranial nerves are typically categorized as part of the peripheral nervous system, the olfactory and optic nerves are regarded as constituents of the central nervous system. The majority of these nerves pertain to the somatic system, governing sensory and motor functions. Certain cranial nerves exclusively house sensory or motor fibers, whereas others are mixed nerves, encompassing both types of fibers.
Below is the list of cranial nerves, their location and their respective functions.
| Cranial Nerves List | Location | Type | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olfactory (I) | Cribriform plate | Sensory | Smell |
| Optic (II) | Optic foramen | Sensory | Vision |
| Oculomotor (III) | Superior orbital fissure | Motor | Eye movement |
| Trochlear (IV) | Superior orbital fissure | Motor | Eye movement |
| Trigeminal (V) | Superior orbital fissure | Mixed | Facial sensation |
| Abducens (VI) | Superior orbital fissure | Motor | Eye movement |
| Facial (VII) | Internal auditory canal | Mixed | Facial expression |
| Vestibulocochlear nerve (VIII) (auditory vestibular nerve) | Internal auditory canal | Sensory | Hearing and balance |
| Glossopharyngeal (IX) | Jugular foramen | Mixed | Oral sensation and taste |
| Vagus (X) | Jugular foramen | Mixed | Vagus nerve |
| Accessory (XI) | Jugular foramen | Motor | Shoulder elevation and head-turning |
| Hypoglossal (XII) | Hypoglossal | Motor | Tongue movement |
Cranial Nerves list and Function PDF
Download list of Cranial Nerves with their function pdf from below link.
https://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/cranial.html
https://lms.rn.com/courses/2051/presentation_content/external_files/Cranial%20Nerve%20Chart.pdf
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