Cranial Nerve Functions

Purely sensory cranial nerve, carries impulses for sense of smell.

• olfactory nerve

• oculomotor nerve

• facial nerve

• optic nerve

Motor nerve controlling movements of the tongue during chewing, swallowing, and speaking.

• facial

• hypoglossal

• olfactory

• accessory

Operates the superior oblique muscle of the eye.

• abducens

• trochlear

• vagus

• optic

Controls muscles of eyelid, controls lens shape and pupil size.

• optic

• abducens

• oculomotor

• vestibulocochlear

Innervates the lateral rectus muscle of eye.

• accessory

• facial

• abducens

• optic

Transmits impulses for senses of equilibrium and hearing.

• auditory

• vestibulocochlear

• hypoglossal

• olfactory

This mixed nerve controls several internal organs such as heart, kidneys, intestines, liver and hunger/full sensations.

• vagus

• facial

• vestibulochonchlear

• hypoglossal

Provides motor control of facial expressions, taste sensations for anterior 2/3s of tongue, tear release.

• facial

• oculomotor

• vagus

• accessory

Carry impulses from posterior 1/3 of tongue (taste buds) for taste sensations.

• facial

• optical

• glossopharyngeal

• vagus

Motor nerve for swallowing, head, neck, and shoulder movements.

• abducens

• trochlear

• facial

• accessory