Summary of the Cranial Nerves

Written by Katherine Sanders

Last updated February 12, 2025 • 35 Revisions •

The cranial nerves are a set of 12 paired nerves that arise directly from the brain.

The first two nerves (olfactory and optic) arise from the cerebrum, whereas the remaining ten emerge from the brainstem. The names of the cranial nerves relate to their function and they are numerically identified in roman numerals (I-XII).

In this article, we shall summarise the anatomy of the cranial nerves – their origin, course, and functions.

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Origin of the Cranial Nerves

There are twelve cranial nerves in total.

The olfactory nerve (CN I) and optic nerve (CN II) originate from the cerebrum. Cranial nerves III – XII arise from the brainstem (Figure 1).

They can arise from a specific part of the brainstem (midbrain, pons or medulla), or from a junction between two parts:

  • Midbrain – the trochlear nerve (IV) comes from the posterior side of the midbrain. It has the longest intracranial length of all the cranial nerves.
  • Midbrain-pontine junction – oculomotor (III).
  • Pons – trigeminal (V).
  • Pontine-medulla junction – abducens, facial, vestibulocochlear (VI-VIII).
  • Medulla oblongata
    • Posterior to the olive: glossopharyngeal, vagus, accessory (IX-XI).
    • Anterior to the olive: hypoglossal (XII).

The cranial nerves are numbered by their location on the brainstem (superior to inferior, then medial to lateral) and the order of their exit from the cranium (anterior to posterior) (Figures 1 & 2).

By Patrick J. Lynch, medical illustrator derivative work: Beao derivative work: Dwstultz [CC BY 2.5], via Wikimedia Commons
Figure 1 - The location of the cranial nerves on the cerebrum and brainstem.

Figure 1
The location of the cranial nerves on the cerebrum and brainstem.

By TeachMeSeries Ltd (2025)
Figure 2 - Superior view of the skull base showing the foramina and which cranial nerves pass through them.

Figure 2
Superior view of the skull base showing the foramina and which cranial nerves pass through them.

Tip: Cranial nerves with the number 2 in them (e.g. 2-optic and 12-hypoglossal) exit through a canal of the same name. They are the only cranial nerves to pass through canals.

Modalities

Each cranial nerve can be described as being sensory, motor or both. They can more specifically transmit seven types of information; three are unique to cranial nerves (SSS, SVS and SVM).

Sensory (afferent) modalities:

  • General somatic sensory (GSS) – general sensation from skin.
  • General visceral sensory (GVS) – general sensation from viscera.
  • Special somatic sensory (SSS) – senses derived from ectoderm (e.g. sight, sound, balance).
  • Special visceral sensory (SVS) – senses derived from endoderm (e.g. taste, smell).

Motor (efferent) modalities:

  • General somatic motor (GSM) – skeletal muscles.
  • General visceral motor (GVM) – smooth muscles of gut and autonomic motor.
  • Special visceral motor (SVM) – muscles derived from pharyngeal arches.

Summary Table – Cranial Nerves

Number Name Exit Modality Function
1

(CN I)

 Olfactory Cribriform plate Sensory

(SVS)

 Smell
2

(CN II)

 Optic Optic canal Sensory

(SSS)

 Vision
3

(CN III)

 Oculomotor Superior orbital fissure Motor

(GSM & GVM)

 GSM: 4 extrinsic eye muscles and levator palpebrae superioris.

GVM: pupillary sphincter
4

(CN IV)

 Trochlear Superior orbital fissure Motor

(GSM)

 Superior oblique
5

(CN V)

 Trigeminal:
Ophthalmic Superior orbital fissure GSS Scalp, forehead and nose.
Maxillary F. rotundum GSS Cheeks, lower eye lid, nasal mucosa, upper lip, upper teeth and palate.
Mandibular F. ovale GSS

SVM

 GSS: anterior 2/3 tongue, skin over mandible and lower teeth.

SVM: muscles of mastication.
6

(CN VI)

 Abducens Superior orbital fissure Motor

(GSM)

 Lateral rectus
7

(CN VII)

 Facial Internal acoustic meatus > stylomastoid f. Both:

GSS

SVS

SVM

GVM

 GSS: sensation to part of ext. ear.

SVS: taste from ant. 2/3 tongue, hard and soft palate.

SVM: muscles of facial expression.

GVM: lacrimal, submandibular, sublingual glands and mucous glands of mouth and nose.
8

(CN VIII)

 Vestibulocochlear Internal acoustic meatus Sensory

(SSS)

 Hearing and balance
9

(CN IX)

 Glossopharyngeal Jugular f. Both:

GSS

GVS

SVS

GVM

SVM

 GSS: post. 1/3 tongue, ext. ear, and middle ear cavity.

GVS: carotid body and sinus.

SVS: taste from post. 1/3 tongue.

GVM: parotid gland.

SVM: stylopharyngeus
10

(CN X)

 Vagus Jugular f. Both:

GSS

GVS

SVS

GVM

SVM

 GSS: ext. ear, larynx and pharynx.

GVS: larynx, pharynx and, thoracic & abdominal viscera.

SVS: taste from epiglottis region of tongue

GVM: smooth muscles of pharynx, larynx and most of the GIT.

SVM: most muscles of pharynx and larynx.
11

(CN XI)

 Spinal accessory Jugular f. Motor

(GSM & SVM)

 GSM: trapezius and sternocleidomastoid.

SVM: a few fibres run with CNX to viscera.
12

(CN XII)

 Hypoglossal Hypoglossal canal Motor

(GSM)

 Intrinsic and extrinsic tongue muscles (except the palatoglossus).

Prosection Images

Suárez-Quian & Vilensky. <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/all-in-one-anatomy-exam-review/id1120795214?mt=13\"> All in One Anatomy Review - Volume 6: The Head</a>

Prosection 1
The base of the cerebrum, demonstrating the origin of the cranial nerves.

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