The cranial nerves

1. The definition of CN
The cranial nerves are the nerves
which are attached to the brain.

CNI Olfactory nerve

CNⅡ Optic nerve
CNⅢ Oculomotor nerve
CNⅣ Trochlear nerve
CNⅤ Trigeminal nerve
CNⅥ Abducent nerve
CNⅦ Facial nerve
CNⅧ Vestibulocochlear nerve CNⅩ Vagus nerve

CNⅨ Glossopharyngeal nerve CNⅪ Accessory nerve

CNⅫ Hypoglossal nerve
2. The cranial nerves consist of 7 kinds
of nervous fiber components

Structures innervated
SENSORY TYPE
genernal somatic skin,muscles, joints of the
head,most mucous membrane of
the oral and nasal cavity
special somatic retina; inner ear
genernal visceral cranial, thoracic, abdominal viscera
special visceral taste buds; olfactory region
2. The cranial nerves consist of 7 kinds
of nervous fiber components

Structures innervated
MOTOR TYPE
General somatic extraocular muscles; tongue muscles
General visceral parasympathetic ganglia for cranial,
thoracic, and abdominal smooth
muscles and glands
branchial masticatory muscles; facial muscles;
(special viseral) middle ear muscles; laryngeal and
pharyngeal muscles;
sternocleidomastoid , trapezius
3. The classifications of cranial nerves

① The sensory nerves:

CNI, CNII, CNVIII

② The motor nerves:

CNIII, CN IV, CNVI, CNXI, CNXII

③ The mixed nerves:

CNV, CNVII, CNIX, CNX
The olfactory nerve (CNI)
The olfactory nerve (CNI)
Primary function: special visceral sensory (smell)

Origin: mucous membrane of the olfactory region of the

nasal cavity

Passes through: cribriform foramina of ethmoid bone

Destination: olfactory bulb

 The optic nerve (CNII)

The optic nerve is inclosed in three layers of

coverings. These coverings and the spaces
between them are continuous with those of
the brain. So that, the meningitis may involve
the eyes.
The optic nerve (CNII)

Primary function: special somatic sensory (vision)

Origin: retina of eye

Passes through: optic canal

Destination: diencephalons
 The oculomotor nerve (CNIII)

General somatic motor fibers arise from the oculomotor nucleus

General visceral motor fibers arise from the accessory occulomotor nucleus

Superior branch: sup. rectus, levator palpebrae superioriis

Inferior branch: inf./med. rectus, inf. obliquus
Ciliary ganglion
The oculomotor nerve ( CNIII)

Primary function: motor, eye movements

Origin: midbrain

Passes through: sup. orbital fissure

Destination: general somatic motor— sup./inf./med.

rectus, inf. obliquus, levator palpebrae superioris
general visceral motor —pupillary
sphincter, ciliary muscles
The trochlear nerve ( CNIV )
The trochlear nerve ( CNIV )

Primary function: motor, eye movements

Origin: midbrain

Passes through: sup. orbital fissure

Destination: sup. obliquus

The trigeminal nerve (CNV)
Motor root
Two roots ：
Sensory root
The special visceral efferent fibers
arise from the motor nucleus of the
trigeminal nerve and only take part
in the third division of the trigeminal
nerve.
The general somatic afferent fibers
are made up of the central
processes of neurons which are
located in the trigeminal ganglion
The trigeminal nerve (CNV)
Three divisions:
The ophthalmic nerve (CNⅤ1)

The maxillary nerve (CNⅤ2)

The mandibular nerve (CNⅤ3)

The trigeminal nerve (CNV )
ophthalmic n. branches:
① lacrimal n.
② frontal n.
③ nasocillary n.
It leaves the skull through the
sup. orbital fissure
The trigeminal nerve (CNV )
maxillary n. branches:

① infraorbital n.
② pterygopalatine n.
③ sup. alveolar n.

It leaves the skull through

the foramen rotundum
The trigeminal nerve (CNV )
mandibular n. branches:
①the nerves of masticatory muscles
②buccal nerve
③auriculotemporal nerve
④inf. alveolar n.
⑤lingual n.
corda tympani:
a. visceral motor fibers : sup. salivatory
nucleus.
b. visceral sensory fibers: nucleus of
solitary tract

It emerges through the foramen ovale

The trigeminal nerve (CNV )
Primary function: mixed ( sensory & motor)
Origin:
Ophthalmic nerve (sensory) —orbital structures, nasal
cavity, skin of forehead..
Maxillary nerve (sensory) —skin between the fissures of
eye and mouth, upper teeth and gums..
Mandibular nerve (mixed) —skin below the fissure of
mouth, lower teeth and gums(sensory); motor nuclei of
pons(motor)
Passes through:
Ophthalmic nerve —sup. orbital fissure
Maxillary nerve —foramen rotundum
Mandibular nerve —foramen ovale
Destination: CNV1 , CNV2 and part of CNV3 to sensory
nuclei in brainstem; part of CNV3 innervates muscles of
mastication
The abducent nerve (CNVI )
The abducent nerve (CNVI )

Primary function: motor, eye movements

Origin: pons

Passes through: sup. orbital fissure of sphenoid bone

Destination: lat. rectus