The twelve pairs of nerves passing from the brain directly to the tissues without traversing the spinal cord, spinal nerves.
12 pairs of nerves, each pair having sensory or motor functions, or both, that extend from the brain without passing through the spinal cord. (The eleventh pair arises from both the brain and the upper spinal cord.)
The twelve paired nerves that emerge from or enter the brain; I: olfactory, II: optic, III: oculomotor, IV: trochlear, V:trigeminal,VI:abducens, VII: facial, VIII: vestibulocochlear, IX: glossopharyngeal, X: vagus, XI: accessory, and XII: hypoglossal.
Twelve pairs of nerves originating in the brain that control most of the functions in the head and face, including the sense organs. Some of the cranial nerves carry only sensory signals from the sense organs, others carry motor messages to move the muscles of the organs and structures of the head, and some carry autonomic (involuntary) messages for functions such as heartbeat. Some of the cranial nerves have all three capabilities.
The 12 pairs of nerves that arise directly from the brain and leave the skull through separate apertures; they are conventionally given Roman numbers, as follows: I olfactory; II optic; III oculomotor; IV trochlear; V trigeminal; VI abducens; VII facial; VIII vestibulocochlear; IX glossopharyngeal; X vagus; XI accessory; XII hypoglossal. Compare spinal nerves.
Any of the 12 pairs of nerves (CN I — CN XII) originating in the brainstem and mainly controlling the activities of the face and head.
Nerves that carry sensory, motor, or parasympathetic fibers to the face and neck. Included among this group of 12 nerves are the optic nerve (vision), trigeminal nerve (sensation along the face), and vagus nerve (pharynx and vocal cords). Evaluation of cranial nerve function is part of the standard neurologic exam.
Twelve pairs of nerves that emerge from the brain.
Comprising a collection of twelve nerves present on both sides of the head and neck, these intricate neural pathways govern the sensory and muscular operations of various organs encompassing the eyes, nose, tongue, face, and throat.
Emerging from the underside of the brain, there are twelve pairs of nerves known as the cranial nerves. Each cranial nerve possesses both a name and a number, with the numbers denoting the specific order in which the nerves originate from the brain. These cranial nerves serve diverse functions and play vital roles in various sensory and motor functions throughout the body.
Among the cranial nerves, certain ones predominantly transmit sensory information from the ears, nose, and eyes to the brain. These specific nerves include the vestibulocochlear nerve, responsible for hearing and balance; the olfactory nerve, involved in the sense of smell; and the optic nerve, which facilitates vision. On the other hand, there are additional cranial nerves that primarily carry impulses to control the muscles in the head and neck. These include the oculomotor nerve, the trochlear nerve, and the abducent nerve, responsible for producing various eye movements; the spinal accessory nerve, which contributes to head and shoulder movements; and the hypoglossal nerve, involved in producing movements of the tongue. Each of these cranial nerves plays a distinctive role in sensory perception and motor function within the head and neck region.
Several cranial nerves serve dual sensory and motor functions. These include the facial nerve, which controls facial expressions, taste perception, and the secretion of saliva and tears; the trigeminal nerve, responsible for facial sensation and jaw movements; and the glossopharyngeal nerve, involved in taste perception and swallowing. Furthermore, the vagus nerve extends its branches to the major digestive organs, as well as the heart and lungs. It assumes a significant role within the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for regulating vital automatic bodily functions such as breathing, heart rate, and digestion. The vagus nerve plays a crucial role in maintaining overall physiological balance and homeostasis.