Cranial Nerves
I
II
Nerve
Olfactory
Optic
III
Oculomotor
Motor
IV
V
Trochlear
Trigeminal
Motor
Both
VI
VII
Abducens
Facial
Motor
Both
VIII Acoustic
Vestibulocochlear
IX Glossopharyngeal
Type
Sensory
Sensory
Sensory
Both
X
Vagus
Both
XI
Spinal accessory
Motor
XII
Hypoglossal
Motor
Major Functions
Sense of Smell
Vision (acuity + field of vision);
pupillary reactivity to light +
accommodation
Eyelid elevation; most EOMs; pupil
size + reactivity
EOM (downward and medially)
M – Chewing + jaw movement
S – facial (ophthalmic, maxillary,
mandibular)
EOM (lateral)
M – Facial movements (expression,
closing eyes + mouth)
S – Taste anterior ⅔ of the tongue,
sensation from ear
Hearing (cochlear division)
Balance (vestibular division)
M – Pharynx
S – Taste posterior tongue, posterior
ear drum + ear canal
M – Palate, pharynx, larynx
S – Pharynx, larynx
Sternocleidomastoid + upper
trapezius
Tongue
Cranial Nerves
Oh, Oh, Oh, To Touch And Feel A Girls Vagina Such Happiness.
Function
Some Say Money Matters, But My Brother Says Big Boobs Matter More.
Assessment
Have Pt. identify smell 𝑐̅ eyes closed
Test acuity 𝑐̅ Snellen eye chart. Test visual fields one eye at a
time have Pt. focus on your nose, identify number of fingers
held up in each visual quadrant.
Check pupils for size, shape, symmetry. Test light reaction
(direct + consensual reactions), near reaction (finger 10cm from
Pt. nose + move closer), six EOMs (“H” →↑↓, ←↑↓).
Test EOMs (down + in)
M – Palpate while Pt. clenches teeth + moves jaw side to side.
S – Pain sensation forehead, cheeks, chin. Corneal reflex (touch
cornea 𝑐̅ fine wisp of cotton – both eyes should blink)
Test EOMs (side to side)
Have Pt. raise both eyebrows, frown, try to open closed eyes,
show both upper + lower teeth, smile, and puff out both cheeks.
Note asymmetry often visible in nasolabial folds + observe tics
or abnormal movements. Taste testing is usually deferred.
To test hearing use whispered voice test, Weber + Rinne
(tuning fork) tests, balance testing is usually deferred.
Is Pt. voice hoarse or nasal? Difficulty swallowing? Say “ah”
watch movement of soft palate + pharynx. Test gag reflex 𝑐̅
long cotton swab.
Same as CN IX – Glossopharyngeal.
Have Pt. shrug shoulders + turn head side to side. Look for
atrophy and fasciculations.
Have Pt. stick out tongue + move it internally from cheek to
cheek. Assess articulation.