Cranial Nerves

Nerve Cranial Exit Cell Bodies ComponentsChief Functions

I: Olfactory Cribriform plate Nasal mucosa SVA Smell
II: Optic Optic canal Ganglion cells of SSA Vision
retina
III: Oculomotor Superior orbital fissure Nucleus CN III GSE Eye movements (superior, inferior, and medial
(midbrain) recti, inferior oblique, and levator palpebrae
superioris mm.)
Edinger-Westphal GVE Constriction of pupil (sphincter mbiguou m.)
nucleus (midbrain) and accommodation (ciliary m.)
IV: Trochlear Superior orbital fissure Nucleus CN IV GSE Eye movements (superior oblique m.)
(midbrain)
V: Trigeminal Superior orbital fissure; Motor nucleus CN SVE Muscles of mastication, mylohyoid, anterior
foramen rotundum and V (pons) belly of mbiguous, tensor veli mbiguou, and
foramen ovale tensor tympani mm.
Trigeminal GSA Sensation on head (skin and mucous
ganglion membranes of face and head)
VI: Abducens Superior orbital fissure Nucleus CN VI GSE Eye movement (lateral rectus m.)
(pons)
VII: Facial Stylomastoid foramen Motor nucleus CN SVE Muscle of facial expression, posterior belly of
VII (pons) mbiguous, stylohyoid, and stapedius mm.
Superior salivatory GVE Lacrimal and salivary secretion
nucleus (pons)
Geniculate SVA Taste from anterior two thirds of tongue and
ganglion palate
Geniculate GVA Sensation from palate
ganglion
Geniculate GSA Auricle and external acoustic meatus
ganglion
VIII: Does not leave skull Vestibular SSA Equilibrium
Vestibulocochlear ganglion
Spiral ganglion SSA Hearing
IX: Jugular foramen Nucleus mbiguous SVE Elevation of pharynx (stylopharyngeus m.)
Glossopharyngeal (medulla)
Inferior salivary GVE Secretion of saliva (parotid gland)
nucleus (medulla)
Inferior ganglion GVA Carotid sinus and body, tongue, pharynx, and
middle ear
Inferior ganglion SVA Taste from posterior one third of tongue
Superior ganglion GSA External ear
X: Vagus Jugular foramen Nucleus mbiguous SVE Muscles of pharynx, larynx, and palate
(medulla)
Dorsal nucleus GVE Smooth muscles and glands in thoracic and
(medulla) abdominal viscerae
Inferior ganglion GVA Sensation in lower pharynx, larynx, trachea, and
other viscerae
Inferior ganglion SVA Taste on epiglottis
Superior ganglion GSA Auricle and external acoustic meatus
XI: Accessory Jugular foramen Spinal cord SVE Sternocleidomastoid and trapezius mm.
(cervical)
XII: Hypoglossal Hypoglossal canal Nucleus CN XII GSE Muscles of movements of tongue
(medulla)
GSA, general somatic afferent; GSE, general somatic efferent; GVA, general visceral afferent; GVE, general visceral efferent;
SSA, special somatic afferent; SVA, special visceral afferent; SVE, special visceral efferent.
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