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Testing Cranial Nerves Activity Sheet
Testing Cranial Nerves Activity Sheet
Purpose:
This activity is designed to help the student become familiar with the functions of the Cranial
Nerves. Perform each test on your lab partner. Carefully observe and record the results of each
test.
Materials:
Two different items to smell Cotton applicator/Tongue depressor/Sugar
A newspaper or other printed material Gloves
Penlight Cotton Ball
Procedure:
1. Olfactory I (Sensory)
2. Optic II (Sensory)
Test visual fields by having your lab partner cover one eye, focus on your nose, and identify the
number of fingers you are holding up in each of four visual quadrants.
Shine the penlight into your partner’s eye from approximately 8 inches away. Pupil should
constrict immediately. Repeat with the other eye.
4. Trigeminal V (Both)
To test the motor control of the muscles of facial expression, have your partner raise their
eyebrows, frown, smile and puff out their cheeks.
Equipment: None
Procedure: To test for hearing, use your fingers to snap, clap, or whisper near each ear.
To test the balance portion of this nerve, have the person lift their no dominant foot (if they were
to kick a ball, it’s the opposite foot) and stand with hip flexed and knee flexed. Have your lab
partner put their hands on their hip and close their eyes. Test for 15 seconds.
7. Glossopharyngeal IX (Sensory)
9. Accessory XI (Motor)
Equipment: None
Procedure: To test the strength of the sternocleidomastoid muscle by placing your hand against
your partner’s cheek and having them turn their head as you apply resistance. Note the force they
are able to apply against your hand. To assess the strength of the trapezius muscle, place your
hands on your partner’s shoulders and have him/her shrug their shoulders as you apply
resistance. Is the muscular strength equal on both sides?
10. Hypoglossal XII (Motor)
Equipment: None
Procedure: Have your lab partner stick out their tongue. Note any deviations from the midline.
II. Optic
III. Oculomotor
IV. Trochlear
V. Trigeminal
VI. Abducens
VII. Facial
VIII.
Vestibulocochlear
IX. Glossopharyngeal
X. Vagus
XI. Accessory
XII. Hypoglossal
Conclusion:
1. Based on the results of your testing, what can you conclude about the importance of
cranial nerves in everyday life?
2. Indicate the cranial nerve/s most closely associated with each of the following functions:
a. Sense of hearing
b. Sense of smell
c. Sense of sight
e. Sense of equilibrium
k. Smiling
3. Destruction or impairment of which cranial nerve or nerves would cause the following
conditions:
a. Blindness
c. Deafness
f. Loss of balance