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The 12 Cranial Nerves

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  • Olfactory nerve (I)

    Function: Smell (sensory)

  • Optic nerve (II)

    Function: Vision (sensory)

  • Oculomotor nerve (III)

    Function: Eye movement and pupil constriction (motor)

  • Trochlear nerve (IV)

    Function: Eye movement via superior oblique muscle (motor)

  • Trigeminal nerve (V)

    Function: Facial sensation and chewing (mixed)

  • Abducens nerve (VI)

    Function: Eye movement via lateral rectus muscle (motor)

  • Facial nerve (VII)

    Function: Facial expressions, taste (anterior 2/3 of tongue), salivation, lacrimation (mixed)

  • Vestibulocochlear nerve (VIII)

    Function: Hearing and balance (sensory)

  • Glossopharyngeal nerve (IX)

    Function: Taste (posterior 1/3 of tongue), swallowing, salivation (mixed)

  • Vagus nerve (X)

    Function: Autonomic control of heart, lungs, digestive tract; taste, swallowing, speech (mixed)

  • Accessory nerve (XI)

    Function: Shoulder and neck movement via sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles (motor)

  • Hypoglossal nerve (XII)

    Function: Tongue movement (motor)