A Cranial Nerve Disorder is a dysfunction of one of the twelve cranial nerves, which originate at the base of the brain, travel via openings in the skull, and supply various areas of the head, neck, and trunk. These conditions can result in facial paralysis, tingling, numbness, weakness, or pain, including in the eyes. The cranial…
Introduction The abducens nerve, also known as the abducent nerve, controls the movement of the lateral rectus muscle, allowing your eye to rotate away from the centre of your body and look left or right. The 6th cranial nerve (CN VI) functions as the abducens. This nerve only has a motor function and not a…
Introduction The trigeminal nerve (CN V) is its fifth and largest cranial nerve. Its primary function is to provide sensory innervation to the face, which is divided into three major branches. The ophthalmic (V1), maxillary (V2), and mandibular (V3) nerves are the three branches. The trigeminal ganglia, located within the Meckel’s cave of the middle…
Introduction The trochlear nerve, or fourth cranial nerve (CN IV), acts as one of the ocular motor nerves that regulate eye movement. As the only cranial nerve with a dorsal outflow from the brainstem, the trochlear nerve, despite being the smallest, has the longest intracranial path. It starts in the midbrain and travels laterally and…
Introduction The oculomotor nerve is the third cranial nerve (CN III), and its name indicates its function. The oculomotor nerve will innervate muscles that move the eye or its components, as implied by the name alone. The nerve’s ability to move makes it an effective indicator of brain injury. It is a mixed nerve with…
Introduction The optic nerve is the second cranial nerve (CN II) that transmits visual information. The optic nerve has only afferent (sensory) fibres and, like all cranial nerves, is paired. During embryogenesis, the optic nerve develops in the retina, exits the orbit via the optic canal, and travels throughout the central nervous system. The optic…
Introduction The first and smallest cranial nerve is the olfactory nerve. This nerve is one of two that do not connect to the brainstem. Your olfactory nerve anatomy is part of the central nervous system. The process begins in the brain and ends in the upper nose. It is also part of your autonomic nervous…
