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You've Got Some More Nerve(s): The Cranial Nerves

Let’s face it. (Ha!) There’s a lot going on in (and on) your head at any given time. Your eyes gather information about light, your ears collect sound waves, and your nose detects odorants in the air. Your tongue tastes your food. A vast array of muscles stand ready to help you communicate with others using speech or facial expressions. What keeps these busy muscles and organs doing their thing? In large part, the cranial nerves. There are 12 pairs of cranial nerves, and each has a unique function and sensory and/or motor designation.

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Featured

  Gomerblog’s First Annual Cranial Nerve Power Rankings

Have you ever wondered which cranial nerves are most important? Our brains are only so big, how do you know which nerves are worth learning about. Well, Gomerblog is here to help. We’ve compiled the first ever ranking system for cranial nerves, but before we jump in to the rankings, let’s take a moment to see who missed the cut.

Articles of Interest

Neuro 101: Cranial Nerves

A brief overview of the cranial nerves, their function, methods of testing and common pathology.

A guide to cranial nerve testing for musculoskeletal clinicians

Neurological examination in musculoskeletal (MSK) practice has always been considered to be a key element of safe and appropriate clinical practice [2] and is commonly used to identify upper/lower limb and upper motor neuron involvement. However, for reasons as yet to be elucidated, it appears that undergraduate training in a range of countries has not adequately prepared a generation of physiotherapists in the rationale for and fundamentals of cranial nerve (CN) examination.

Can you shock yourself into relaxation? The science of vagus nerve stimulation

Vagus nerve stimulation is a social-media sensation, promising instant stress relief. Here’s what the science really says about the body’s built-in “chill” circuit.

Cranial Nerves

There are several mnemonics to help with cranial nerve memorization. We will focus on one to memorize cranial names and a second to memorize function type. After you memorize these mnemonics you can easily test yourself.

Cranial Nerves 101

To learn about neuropathic facial pain, it helps to know a little about how the affected nerves are laid out. The cranial nerves are 12 pairs of nerves that can be seen on the surface of the brain. The trigeminal nerves are among these pairs, and they let you feel sensations in your face. One nerve runs down each side of your head. The sets of cranial nerves arise directly from the brain. The first two nerves (olfactory and optic) arise from the cerebrum, whereas the remaining ten emerge from the brain stem. The cranial nerves are considered components of the peripheral nervous system. However, on a structural level, the olfactory, optic, and terminal nerves are more accurately considered part of the central nervous system.

Cranial Nerves and Swallowing / Voice

The cranial nerves look so beautiful exiting the brainstem in these pictures! Why do they have to be so hard to memorize? It is so important for Speech-Language Pathologists to understand the sensory and motor aspects of cranial nerves and swallowing, speech and voice function. The speech-language pathologist can contribute to the medical team’s differential diagnosis when a thorough sensory and motor cranial nerve examination provides critical findings.

Cranial Nerves: Morphology and Clinical Relevance

This Special Issue entitled “Cranial Nerves: phylogeny, ontogeny, morphology and clinical significance” has been divided into two consecutive volumes. This second volume is devoted to morphology and clinical relevance.

Mapping the body: trigeminal nerve

The pain caused by pressure on the trigeminal nerve has been described as the most agonising known to humankind, but what does the nerve actually do?

On the Cranial Nerves

The twelve cranial nerves play a crucial role in the nervous system, orchestrating a myriad of functions vital for our everyday life. The study of cranial nerves is of paramount importance in the realms of both clinical medicine and neuroscience. These twelve cranial nerves, with their specific functions and intricate pathways, serve as a foundational framework for understanding the human nervous system. Through meticulous study and clinical observations, researchers and healthcare professionals can identify, diagnose, and treat an array of neurological conditions and disorders, ranging from motor neuron diseases to cranial nerve injuries.

The 12 cranial nerves (of Christmas)?

A recent article in Anatomical Sciences EducationOpens in a new window explores how mnemonics and rhymes can be an important learning strategy. Read the article to learn more about how mnemonics and rhyme relate to learning processes and neuroanatomy. And, watch the video to learn the twelve cranial nerves of Christmas:

You’re Getting on my Last Cranial Nerve – 5-Part Series

Why the F @$% do we need to know about these stupid @$$ cranial nerves (CNs)? I know, this post may seem so lame and elementary to some SLPs, but to others, if you’re anything like I was when I first got out of grad school and started working with patients with dysphagia, any sort of neuroanything gave me a major case of the dumbs.

Resources

KenHub

You know when someone mentions cranial nerves and you roll your eyes all the way back to your midbrain? We know that cranial nerves have always been a challenging subject among anatomy students. So we’re here to make it easier for you. Cranial nerves anatomy is essential for almost any medical specialty since they control so many body functions, such as rolling your eyes when you’re annoyed by something. So let’s break the stigma of them being hard to understand, and learn this important neuroanatomy topic once and for all.

MassiveBio.com

Cranial nerves are a vital component of the peripheral nervous system, directly connecting the brain to various parts of the head, neck, and torso. They play a crucial role in transmitting sensory information and controlling motor functions essential for daily life.

Physiopedia

There are twelve pairs of cranial nerves (CN) that lead directly from the brain to various parts of the head, neck, and trunk. Ten of the twelve cranial nerves originate in the brainstem; the two that do not are CN I (olfactory nerve) and CN II (optic nerve). Once the cranial nerves leave the skull, they become part of the peripheral nervous system.

StatPearls

The cranial nerves primarily innervate the head and neck structures. Unlike spinal nerves, which originate from neural fibers in the spinal grey matter, cranial nerves consist of neural processes associated with specific brainstem nuclei and cortical structures. Additionally, cranial nerve nuclei are functionally organized within the brainstem, with sensory nuclei typically positioned more posteriorly and laterally, while motor nuclei are more anterior.