What’s Cranial Nerves?
Cranial nerves are twelve pairs of nerves that emerge directly from the brain and brainstem, responsible for various sensory and motor functions in the head and neck. They are numbered I to XII and include the olfactory nerve (I, smell), optic nerve (II, vision), oculomotor nerve (III, eye movement), trochlear nerve (IV, eye movement), trigeminal nerve (V, facial sensation and mastication), abducens nerve (VI, eye movement), facial nerve (VII, facial expression and taste), vestibulocochlear nerve (VIII, hearing and balance), glossopharyngeal nerve (IX, taste and swallowing), vagus nerve (X, autonomic functions), accessory nerve (XI, shoulder and neck movement), and hypoglossal nerve (XII, tongue movement). Each nerve has specific functions, and their pathways are critical for neurological health and coordination.