Cranial nerves are a set of 12 pairs of nerves that originate in the brain and perform a variety of functions. These functions include helping you see, hear, smell, taste, and feel sensations. They also help you move your eyes, tongue, and face.
Some cranial nerves:
Trigeminal nerve: The largest cranial nerve, with both sensory and motor components
Glossopharyngeal nerve: The ninth cranial nerve, which connects to organs, muscles, and other structures in the mouth and throat
Vestibulocochlear nerve: The eighth cranial nerve, which is involved in hearing and balance
Oculomotor nerve: The third cranial nerve, which supplies the majority of the extraocular muscles
Optic nerve: The second cranial nerve, which transmits sensory information for vision from the eye to the brain
Trochlear nerve: The fourth cranial nerve, which sends signals from the brain to one of the muscles that control eye movement
Hypoglossal nerve: The twelfth cranial nerve, which manages tongue movements
Accessory nerve: The eleventh cranial nerve, which is responsible for neck muscle control.
Related topics: