CRANIAL NERVES

 There are 12 pairs of cranial nerves originating from the brain, some sensory, some
motor and some mixed.
 Their names suggest their distribution or function, which, in the main, is generally
related to the head and neck.
 They are numbered using Roman numerals according to the order they connect to the
brain, starting anteriorly. They are:

Sr. Cranial Nerve Name Nerve Type Function

No.
I. Olfactory Nerve Sensory Sense of smell
II. Optic Nerve Sensory Sense of sight
III. Oculomotor Nerve Motor Move the eye ball, alter the shape of
lens, constrict the pupil, move the
eyelids
IV. Trochlear Nerve Motor Supply to the superior oblique muscle
of the eye
V. Trigeminal Nerve Mixed Supplies sensations to the face, mucous
membranes, and other structures of the
head
VI. Abducens Nerve Motor Supply the lateral rectus muscles of the
eyeballs
VII. Facial Nerve Mixed Supply the muscles of facial expression
VIII. Vestibulocochlear Sensory Hearing, associated with the
Nerve maintenance of posture and balance.
IX. Glossopharyngeal Mixed Taste and swallowing
Nerve
X. Vagus Nerve Mixed Regulation of internal organ functions,
such as digestion, heart rate, and
respiratory rate.
Reflex actions such as coughing,
sneezing, swallowing, and vomiting
XI. Accessory Nerve Motor Supply the pharyngeal and laryngeal
muscles in the neck.
XII. Hypoglossal Nerve Motor Supply the muscles of the tongue and
muscles surrounding the hyoid bone
and contribute to swallowing and
speech.