Table 1-1. 12 pairs of cranial nerves and their functions.

The Central Nervous System
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12

Smell

Olfactory.

Sight

Optic.

NOTE: Neither the olfactory nor the optic nerves are really cranial nerves since these

nerves are composed of fibers belonging to the central nervous system.

Movement of the eyeball, lens, and

III

Oculomotor

pupillary sphincter

Superior oblique muscle of the eye

Trochlear

Affects ophthalmic, maxillary, and mandible areas;

Trigeminal

controls muscles of mastication

Moves the eye outward

Abducens

Controls muscles of the face, scalp, ears; controls

VII

Facial

salivary glands; receives taste sensation from the

anterior 2/3 of the tongue

Hearing and equilibrium

Sensations from the pharynx and the posterior 1/3 of the

Glossopharyngeal

tongue

Sensory and motor to thoracic and abdominal viscera

Vagus

Permits movement of head and shoulders

Accessory

Controls muscles of tongue

XII

Hypoglossal

Table 1-1. 12 pairs of cranial nerves and their functions.

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