Cranial_Nerves_2011.09.13.csv

Olfactory nerve - sensory - sense of smell

Optic nerve - sensory - visual information

Oculomotor - motor - eye movement (controls the superior & medial & inferior rectus & the inferior oblique); pupil constriction & accommodation (sympathetic action through the Edinger-Westphal nucleus); lid elevation (through the levator palpebrae muscle)

Trochlear - motor - eye movement - controls the superior oblique (which is involved in depression of the abducted eye). Unique in that it exits from the posterior side of the brainstem and innervates the contralateral eye

Trigeminal - sensory and motor - facial sensation & chewing

Abducens - motor - lateral eye movement - controls the lateral rectus

Facial - sensory and motor - facial movement; taste (anterior 2/3 of tongue); salivation; & lacrimation

Vestibulocochlear - sensory - balance & hearing

Glossopharyngeal - sensory and motor - pharyngeal sensation; taste (posterior 1/3 of tongue); carotid baroreceptors

Vagus - sensory and motor - pharyngeal sensation; vocal cords; swallow; gut autonomics

Spinal accessory - motor - head turning; shoulder shrug. The ramus internus is the cranial portion of the nerve and projects from the nucleus ambiguus to the recurrent laryngeal nerve (note that this portion of CN XI is often considered technically part of the vagus nerve). The ramus externus is the spinal portion and projects to the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid

Hypoglossal - motor - tongue movement

A sensory ganglion embedded in the brainstem that is involved in proprioception of the face. Comprised of cell bodies of CN V. The mesencephalic nucleus is the most rostral nucleus of the trigeminal complex and is located in the midbrain

A sensory ganglion embedded in the brainstem that is involved in discriminative touch on the face and oral cavity. Comprised of cell bodies of CN V. The function is analagous to that of the posterior columns

2nd-order nucleus that conveys sensory information about taste. Receives input from CN VII & IX & X. Projects to the VPM (3rd-order nucleus)

A sensory ganglion embedded in the brainstem that is involved in pain/temperature sensation & coarse touch on the face and oral cavity. Comprised of cell bodies of CN V. The function is analagous to that of the spinothalamic tracts

Contains motor fibers - special visceral efferent function (output to brachial arch musculature). Located in the pons. Fibers of CN VII supply muscles of facial expression & stylohyoid & posterior belly of the digastric & stapedius

Contains motor fibers - special visceral efferent function (output to brachial arch musculature). Located in the rostral medulla. Fibers of CN IX & X supply the striated muscles of the soft palate & pharynx & larynx & the stylopharyngeus

Cranial nerve nucleus for CN X. Receives input from the cardiac & pulmonary & pancreatic & myenteric/submucosal plexuses. Stimulation causes bronchial constriction/secretion & insulin/digestive enzyme secretion & peristalsis

Houses the cell bodies of first-order neurons. Located outside the brainstem. Neurons communicate with second-order neurons that project from the principal nucleus

Contains the cell bodies of 3rd-order neurons. Contained within the thalamus. Receives information from the solitary tract and trigeminal nerve and projects to the postcentral gyrus. Involved in cranial sensation (as opposed to the VPL - involved in sensation of the body)

Receives information from the spinothalamic tract and the medial lemniscus and projects to the postcentral gyrus (somatosensory cortex). Conveys information about sensation of the body (as opposed to the VPM - involved in sensation of the face/cranial region)

Parasympathetic cranial nerve nucleus of CN III. Located in the midbrain. Stimulation causes constriction of the iris - leads to miosis (pupillary constriction)

Parasympatetic cranial nerve nucleus of CN VII. Located in the pons. Involved in lacrimation & salivary secretion from the submandibular & sublingual glands

Parasympathetic cranial nerve nucleus of CN IX. Located in the medulla. Involved in salivary secretion from the parotid gland