Facts on File Encyclopedia of Health and Medicine

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cranial nerves 247

THE CRANIAL NERVES

Cranial Nerve Pair Type Functions
I—olfactory nerve sensory (special) sense of smell


II—optic nerve sensory (special) sense of sight


III—oculomotor nerve motor (somatic) muscles that move the EYEup and down and side to side
muscles that adjust the LENS
motor (visceral) muscles that constrict the pupil


IV—trochlear nerve motor (somatic) muscles that move the eye in a circular motion (superior oblique)


V—trigeminal nerve sensory (general) general sensations of the face, surface of the head, MOUTH, surface
of the eye, mucous membranes of the NOSEand THROAT, front two
thirds of the tongue, and jaw muscles
motor (somatic) muscles of chewing


VI—abducens nerve motor (somatic) muscles that move the eye side to side (lateral rectus)


VII—facial nerve sensory (general) general sensations of the face, surface of the head, and front two
thirds of the tongue
sensory (special) sense of taste, front two thirds of the tongue
motor (somatic) muscles that control facial expression
motor (visceral) muscles that regulate the flow of tears and saliva


VIII—vestibulocochlear nerve sensory (special) sense of balance (vestibular function of the inner EAR)
sense of hearing (cochlear function of the inner ear)


IX—glossopharyngeal nerve sensory (general) general sensations of the back of the tongue, back of the throat,
and surface of the eardrum
sensory (special) sense of taste, back part of the tongue and palate
motor (visceral) carotid body (arterial baroreflex sensors for BLOOD PRESSURE)
muscles of the throat for swallowing and GAG REFLEX
muscles of the tear glands
muscles of the SALIVARY GLANDS


X—vagus nerve sensory (general) general sensations for the bronchial structures, gastrointestinal
tract, outer ear, and throat
sensory (special) sense of taste from the back of the palate
motor (visceral) muscles of the heart’s ventricles
muscles of the gastrointestinal tract
muscles of the bronchial structures
muscles of the throat


XI—spinal accessory nerve motor (somatic) muscles of the neck that move the head


XII—hypoglossal nerve motor (somatic) muscles that move the tongue and back of the throat for
swallowing and speech

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