Cranial Nerves

Question 1

What is the function of CN1: the Olfactory nerve

Answer 1

Smell

Question 2

What nerve is responsible for smell?

Answer 2

CN1: olfactory

Question 3

What is the function of CN2: the Optic nerve?

Answer 3

Sight/Vision

Question 4

What nerve is responsible for sight/vision?

Answer 4

CN2: Optic

Question 5

What is the function of the CN3/4/6: oculomotor, trochlear and abducens nerves?

Answer 5

Eye muscle movement

Question 6

What nerves are responsible for muscle movements of the eye?

Answer 6

CN 3/4/6: oculomotor, trochlear, abducens

Question 7

What is the function of CN5: the trigeminal nerve?

Answer 7

Face sensation, jaw power and movement

Question 8

What nerve is responsible for face sensation and jaw power/movement

Answer 8

CN5: trigeminal

Question 9

What is the function of CN7: the facial nerve?

Answer 9

Motor function of facial muscles and taste

Question 10

What nerve is responsible for motor function of the facial muscles and taste?

Answer 10

CN7: facial

Question 11

What is the function of CN8: the vestibulocochlear nerve?

Answer 11

Balance and hearing

Question 12

What nerve is responsible for balance and hearing?

Answer 12

CN8: Vestibulocochlear

Question 13

What is the function of CN9 and 10: the glossopharyngeal and vagus nerve?

Answer 13

Voice quality, swallow and palate movement

Question 14

What nerves are responsible for voice quality, swallow and palate movement?

Answer 14

CN9 and 10: glossopharyngeal and vagus

Question 15

What is the function of CN11: the spinal accessory nerve?

Answer 15

Neck and shoulder movement

Question 16

What nerve is responsible for neck and shoulder movement?

Answer 16

CN11: spinal accessory

Question 17

What is the function of CN12: hypoglossal nerve?

Answer 17

Tongue movement/power

Question 18

Which nerve is responsible for tongue movement/ power?

Answer 18

CN12: hypoglossal

Question 19

How do you test CN1: the olfactory nerve?

Answer 19

Ask if noticed change in smell
Occlude each nostril and see if can smell out of each

Question 20

How do you test CN2: the optic nerve?

Answer 20

Ask if noticed change in vision

Visual field test: 3x hand in and out with eye covered - both sides and each eye

Inattention test: bunny ears

Snellen Chart
Fundoscopy

Question 21

How do you assess CN 3/4/6 - occulomotor, trochlear and abducen nerves?

Answer 21

Pupil constriction: check each eye, then each eye with hand blocking in between
RAPD - swinging constriction
Strabismus/movement - H test

Question 22

How do you assess the CN5 - trigeminal nerve?

Answer 22

Touch side of forehead/front ears/jawline

Feel for jaw clench each side

Open jaw: don’t let me close

Question 23

How do you assess CN7, the facial nerve ?

Answer 23

Ask change in taste?
Ask to frown - pull up
Raise eyebrows - push down
Puff cheeks
Grin and show teeth

Question 24

How do you assess CN 8, the vestibulocochlear nerve?

Answer 24

Ask change in hearing?
Rub fingers by each ear - sound the same?
Balance : stand eyes closed and arms out

Weber and rinnes

Question 25

How do you assess CN 9 and 10, the glossopharyngeal and vagus nerve?

Answer 25

Noticed change in voice Noticed change in swallow Maybe get to swallow a drink Check uvula central

Question 26

How do you assess CN11 the spinal accessory nerve?

Answer 26

Shrug shoulders and push down Turn head side to side and push badk

Question 27

How do you assess cn12 the hypoglossal nerve?

Answer 27

Check tongue at rest and stick out - look for deviation or fasiculation Tongue in cheeks and push back