Cranial Nerves

Patient pointing at eye. Eyes have 4 different cranial nerves associated, 2, 3, 4, and 6.

What are the cranial nerves?

Your cranial nerves are nerve pairs in your brain. They connect your brain to other parts of your face, neck and torso. Cranial nerves can play a role in sensation, movement or both. If a condition or injury affects your cranial nerves, you may have problems with your sense of taste, smell, vision, or hearing.

• How many cranial nerves are there? 12 pairs of cranial nerves

• What kind of function do they serve? Cranial nerves are split into 3 categories: sensory, motor, and mixed/both.

How can I memorize the cranial nerve names and functions?

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.

• Start with a piece of paper and number the lines 1 through 12.

• First write the mnemonic or just the first letter of each word.

• Fill in the cranial nerve names.

• Write first letters of the function mnemonic.

• Fill in function: sensory, motor, or both (mixed).

Cranial nerve name mnemonic

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Cranial nerve names mnemonic chart

Cranial nerve function mnemonic

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Cranial nerve function mnemonic chart

Cranial Nerves - 12 pairs. https://www.osmosis.org/learn/Cranial_nerves

Are you a visual learner?

Some people learn better visually. This is a quick way to draw out a visual representation of the cranial nerves. Easy examples such as the nose is 1 which is the Olfactory nerve you use to smell.

Easy face drawing to help remember cranial nerve locations. Original origins unknown.

Another example for visual learners. This example helps identify the differences in the nerves related to the eyes.

Cranial nerve visual chart cheat sheet. @cecestudyguides

Cranial Nerve VII (8)

The vestibulocochlear nerve consists of the vestibular and cochlear nerves, also known as cranial nerve eight (CN VIII). This nerve is often referred to as the auditory nerve as seen in prior charts. This is important information to be aware of in the chance that you are taking a board exam and they may use these terms interchangeably.

Cranial nerve chart available for purchase on Etsy.

The Anatomy of the Cranial Nerves

Cranial nerves labeled with detailed information on each function.