Cranial nerves
| Cranial nerves | |
|---|---|
| CN I | Olfactory Nerve |
| CN II | Optic Nerve |
| CN III | Oculomotor Nerve |
| CN IV | Trochlear Nerve |
| CN V | Trigeminal Nerve |
| CN VI | Abducens Nerve |
| CN VII | Facial Nerve |
| CN VIII | Vestibulocochlear Nerve |
| CN IX | Glossopharyngeal Nerve |
| CN X | Vagus Nerve |
| CN XI | Accessory Nerve |
| CN XII | Hypoglossal Nerve |
3D models
Basic concepts
Functional components - The cranial nerves have one or more of six functional components:
- Somatic motor (general somatic efferent (GSE)) which innervate the striate muscles of the orbit and tongue.
- Brachial motor (special visceral efferent or (SVE)) which innervate muscles derived from the pharyngeal arches (face, larynx, and pharynx).
- Visceral motor (general visceral efferent (GVE) which provide the parasympathetic innervation of smooth muscles (i.e. sphincter papilla) and glands (i.e. lacrimal gland).
- Visceral sensory (general visceral afferent (GA)) which provide visceral sensation that does not reach consciousness (i.e. parotid gland, carotid body, intestines).
- General sensory (general somatic afferent (GSA)) which convey information from the skin and mucus membranes (i.e. touch, pressure, heat).
- Special sensory (special visceral afferent (SVA)) which transmit vision, hearing and balance.