Project 1: 12 Cranial Nerves

Vestibulocochlear (VIII)

• Motor impulses for movement

• Sensory impulses from ear for senses of both hearing & balance

• Impulses for taste sensation

• Regulation of heart rate

Facial (VII)

• Motor impulses to muscles controlling facial expressions like frowning, smiling, etc.

• Sensory impulses from some taste buds of tongue

• Motor impulses to muscles controlling eye movements

• Sensory impulses from the skin of the face

Abducens (VI)

• Sensory impulses to the ear for hearing

• Motor impulses to eye muscles for abduction of the eyes

• Motor impulses to facial muscles for expression

• Sensory impulses for taste sensation

Trigeminal (V)

• Sensory impulses info from face, scalp, and teeth

• Motor impulses to the heart

• Sensory impulses from the stomach

• Motor impulses to the legs

Glossopharyngeal (IX)

• Sensory impulses from the throat and taste buds at the back of the tongue; motor impulses to muscles of the throat for swallowing and salivary glands.

• Sensory impulses from the nose and taste buds at the front of the tongue; motor impulses to the muscles of the jaw.

• Sensory impulses from the ears and taste buds at the sides of the tongue; motor impulses to the muscles of the neck.

• Sensory impulses from the skin and taste buds at the tip of the tongue; motor impulses to the muscles of the face.

Trochlear (IV)

What is the function of the Trochlear nerve?

• Sensory impulses for taste

• Motor impulses to eye muscles for movements of the eyes

• Regulation of heart rate

• Control of facial expressions

Vagus (X)

• Sensory impulses from the throat, larynx, thoracic and abdominal organs

• Motor impulses to stimulate digestive organs and to slow heart rate

• Motor impulses to cough and to swallow

• Sensory impulses from the skin and muscles of the face

Hypoglossal (XII)

What is the primary function of the Hypoglossal nerve?

• Sensory impulses from the tongue

• Motor impulses to muscles of the tongue for most tongue movements

• Regulation of heart rate

• Control of facial expressions

Oculomotor (III)

What is the primary function of the Oculomotor nerve?

• Sensory impulses for vision

• Motor impulses to eye muscles for movements of the eyes

• Regulation of heart rate

• Control of facial expressions

Accessory (XI)

• Motor impulses to trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles of the neck and upper shoulder for shoulder movements and movements of the head

• Sensory impulses from the skin of the neck and upper shoulder

• Motor impulses to the diaphragm for breathing

• Sensory impulses from the muscles of the face