CRANIAL NERVES

Witri Pratiwi, dr., M.Kes.

Medical Faculty of Swadaya Gunung

Jati University
 CRANIAL NERVES
• Peripheral Nervous System
components that connect
directly to the brain.
• 12 pairs of cranial nerves
• The number assigned to a
cranial nerve corresponds to
the nerve’s position along the
longitudinal axis of the brain.
 Nervus Olfactorius (N I)
• The only cranial nerves
attached directly to the
cerebrum.
• Function: special sensory
information responsible
for the sense of smell.

• Origin: Receptors of
olfactory epithelium
(nasal mucosa).

• Destination: Bulbus
olfactorius  cerebrum.
 Nervus Olfactorius (N I)
• N I enters the skull through
the cribriform plate
(Lamina Cribrosa) of the
ethmoid bone  sends its
impulses to be interpreted
at various brain regions
including the temporal
lobe, amygdala, and
entorhinal cortex.
 Nervus Optic (N II)
• Function: special sensory
(vision).

• Retina  chiasma opticum

 Tractus Opticus
Nucleus Geniculatum
Laterale of Thalamus 
Optic Radiation  Visual
Cortex
 Nervus Opticus (N II)
• The optic nerves pass
through the optic canals
(Canalis Opticus) of the
sphenoid  converge at
the ventral, anterior
margin of the
diencephalon, at
Chiasma Opticum 
fibers from the medial
half of each retina cross
over to the opposite side
of the brain.
 Nervus Opticus (N II)
• The reorganized axons
continue toward the Nucleus
Geniculatus Lateralis of the
Thalamus as the optic tracts.
• After synapsing visual cortex
of the occipital lobes (each
cerebral hemisphere receives
visual information from the
lateral half of the retina of the
eye on that side and from the
medial half of the retina of the
eyes on opposite side.
Nervus Oculomotorius (N III), Nervus Trochlearis (N
IV) & Nervus Abducens (N VI)

Function: Motorik (eye movements)

 Nervus Oculomotorius (N III)
Colliculus Superior of Mesencephalon  Fissura orbitalis superior

Functions:
• Somatic motor:
 Four of the six extrinsic muscles (Musculus rectus superior, Musculus rectus
inferior, Musculus rectus medialis, Musculus obliquus inferior) that move
the eye.
 Musculus Levator Palpebrae Superior which raises the upper eyelid.
• Autonomic: ciliary ganglion that control intrinsic eye muscles
 Musculus Sphincter Pupillae change diameter of the pupil (Pupillary
constriction).
 Musculus ciliaris  change the shape of lens to focus images on the retina.
NERVUS TROCHLEARIS (N IV) NERVUS ABDUCENS (N VI)
• Colliculus inferior of • Pons  pass through Fissura
Mesencephalon  pass orbitalis superior .
through Fissura orbitalis
superior .
• Innervates Musculus Rectus
Lateralis  abduction of eye
• Innervates Musculus ball.
Obliquus Superior 
depression, abduction,
lateral rotation of eye ball.
Nervus Trigeminus (N V)

1. Nervus Opthalmicus (N V1)

2. Nervus Maxillaris (N V2)
3. Nervus Mandibularis (N V3)
 Nervus Opthalmicus (N V1)
Pass through Fissura Orbitalis
Superior  Pons

Functions: Sensory
• Orbital structure
• Cornea
• Nasal cavity
• Skin of forehead
• Upper eyelid
• Eyebrow
• Nose
 Nervus Maxillaris (N V2)
 Pass through Foramen rotundum
 Pons

Functions: Sensory
• Lower eyelid
• Upper lip
• Gums
• Teeth
• Cheek
• Nose
• Palate
• Pharynx
 Nervus Mandibularis (N V3)
Pass through Foramen ovale 
Pons

Functions:
Sensory of
• Lower gums
• Teeth
• Lips
• Palate
• Tongue
Motor of mastication muscles
 Nervus Facialis (N VII)
Pons  pass through
Meatus Acusticus
Internus.

• Temporal branch
• Zygomatic branch
• Buccal branch
• Mandibular branch
• Cervical branch
 Nervus Facialis (N VII)
Functions:
Taste sensation of anterior two-thirds of
the tongue.
Superficial muscles of the scalp, face and
deep muscles near the ear (Facial
expression).
Autonomic:
Ganglion pterygopalatine : lacrimal
glands & small glands of the nasal cavity
and pharynx.
Ganglion submandibular: submandibular
& sublingual salivary glands
 Nervus Vestibulocochlearis (N VIII)
• Receptors of the internal ear
(vestibule & cochlea) 
Meatus acusticus internus of
temporal bones  vestibular &
cochlear nuclei of pons &
medulla oblongata.
• Vestibular branch : balance
sensation (orientation &
movement of the head).
• Cochlear branch: hearing
 Nervus Glossopharyngeus (N IX)
• Origin: medulla oblongata.
• Pass through: Foramen Jugularis.

• Primary function: mixed (sensory &

motor) to head & neck.
 Sensory: taste sensation from the
posterior one-third of the tongue,
oropharynx, tonsilla palatina,
palatum, carotid arteries of the
neck (monitor the blood pressure
& dissolved gas concentration).
 Somatic Motor: Musculus
stylopharyngeus involved in
swallowing.
 Visceral motor: glandula parotis
 Nervus Vagus (N X)
• Origin: Medulla oblongata.
• Pass through: Foramen jugularis.

• Primary function: mixed (sensory & motor).

 Sensory: larynx, pharynx, auricle &
meatus acusticus externus, diaphragm,
visceral organs in the thoracic and
abdominopelvic cavities.
 Motor: muscles of the palate, pharynx,
larynx, digestive, respiratory &
cardiovascular systems in the thoracic
and abdominal cavities 
PARASYMPATHETIC.
 Nervus Accessorius (N XI)
• Primary function:
motor to muscles of
the neck and upper
back.

• Origin: motor nuclei of

spinal cord (Spinal
root) and medulla
oblongata (cranial
root)  foramen
jugularis  internal
branch & external
branch.
 Nervus Accessorius (N XI)

• Internal branch  join the Nervus Vagus  innervates the

voluntary swallowing muscles of Palatum molle & pharynx;
and the intrinsic muscles that control the vocal cords.

• External branch  Musculus Sternocleidomastoideus &

Musculus Trapezius.
 Nervus Hypoglossus (N XII)
• Primary function:
tongue movements
(Musculus
hypoglossus, Musculus
genioglossus, Musculus
styloglossus)

• Origin: motor nuclei of

Medulla oblongata 
Canalis hypoglossi of
occipital bone
muscles of the tongue.