Cranial nerves
The twelve pairs of cranial nerves connect the brain and brainstem with sensory and motor functions in the head, neck and selected viscera.
Open interactive lesson & self-check ↗Twelve cranial nerves: function map
Original conceptual SVG · scalableConcept overview only; many cranial nerves have mixed functions and complex nuclei. Use anatomy atlases for detailed course and lesions.
Organize by functional role
I olfaction; II vision; III IV VI eye movement; V facial sensation and mastication; VII facial expression and taste; VIII hearing and balance; IX X swallowing and visceral function; XI neck muscles; XII tongue movement.
Connect nerve to bedside examination
Pupillary light reflex includes II as the afferent limb and III as the efferent limb. Corneal reflex uses V1 sensory input and VII blink output.
Localize a problem
Compare multiple nerve findings with brainstem, skull-base and peripheral distributions; clinical localization requires a complete examination.
Reference and next reading
Explore the original curriculum and publisher-hosted resources for full-depth reading; this note is an original schematic introduction, not an exhaustive chapter.