Neuroscience

Topic : Cranial Nerves

 Introduction
• The 12 pairs of cranial nerves arise
from the brain inside the cranial
cavity and pass through various
foramina in the bones of the
cranium.
• Divides into 3 functions: Sensory
nerves, Motor nerves and Mixed
nerves.
 Introduction
• 12 pairs are:-
– Olfactory nerve (I)
– Optic nerve (II)
– Oculomotor nerve (III)
– Trochlear nerve (IV)
– Trigeminal nerve (V)
– Abducens nerve (VI)
– Facial nerve (VII)
– Vestibulocohlear nerve (VIII)
– Glossopharyngeal nerve (IX)
– Vagus nerve (X)
– Accessory nerve (XI)
– Hypoglossal nerve (XII)
CRANIAL NERVES
 Olfactory Nerve (I)
• Sensory nerve
• Contain axons that
conduct impulses for
olfaction, the sense of
smell.
• The olfactory
epithelium occupies the
superior part of the
nasal cavity, covering
the inferior surface of
the cribriform plate and
extending down along
the superior nasal
conchae.
 Olfactory Nerve (I)
• The olfactory receptors
within the olfactory
epithelium are bipolar
neuron.
• Each has a single odor
sensitive dendrite projecting
from one side of the cell body
and an unmylinated axons
extending from the other
side.
• Bundle of axons of olfactory
receptors extend through
about 20 olfactory foramina
in the cribriform plate of the
ethmoid bone.
 Olfactory Nerve (I)
• Olfactory nerves end in the brain in paired masses of
gray matter called the olfactory bulbs. Two extensions
of the brain that rest on the cribriform plate.
• Within the olfactory bulbs, the axon terminals of
olfactory receptor form synapses with the dendrite and
cell bodies of the next neurons in the olfactory
pathway.
• The axons of these neuron make up the olfactory tract,
which extend posteriorly from the olfactory bulbs.
• Axons in the olfactory tract end in the primary olfactory
area in the temporal lobe of the temporal cerebral
cortex.
 Optic Nerve (II)
• Sensory nerve
• Contains axons that conduct nerve impulses for
vision.
• In the retina, rods and cones initiate visual signals
and relay them to bipolar cells, which transmit the
signals to ganglion cells.
• Axons of all ganglion cells in the retina of each eye
join to form an optic nerve, which pass through the
optic foramen.
 Optic Nerve (II)
• Posterior to the eyeball, the two optic nerves merge
to form the optic chiasm.
• Within the chiasm, axons from the medial half of
each eye cross to the opposite side, axons from the
lateral half is remain on the same side.
• Posterior to the chiasm, the regrouped axons, some
from each eye, form the optic tracts.
• Most axons in the optic tracts end in the lateral
geniculate nucleus of the thalamus.
 Optic Nerve (II)
• There, they synapse with neuron whose axons
extend to the primary visual area in the occipital lobe
of the cerebral cortex.
• A few axons pass through the optic chiasm and then
extend to the superior colliculi of the midbrain.
• They synapse with motor neurons that control the
extrinsic (move the eyeball) and intrinsic eye
muscles (control light intensity).
 Oculomotor Nerve (III)
• Motor nerve
• Oculomotor nerve extends anteriorly and divides into
superior and inferior branches, both of which pass
through the superior orbital fissure into the orbit.
• Axons in the superior branch innervate the superior
rectus (extrinsic eyeball muscle) and the levator
palpebrae superioris (muscles of upper eyelid).
 Oculomotor Nerve (III)
• Axons in the inferior branch supply the medial rectus,
inferior rectus and inferior oblique muscles (all
extrinsic eyeball muscles).
• Theses somatic motor neurons control movements of
the eyeball and upper eyelid.
• The inferior branch of the oculomotor nerve also
provides parasympathetic innervation to intrinsic
eyeball muscles, which are smooth muscles.
 Oculomotor Nerve (III)
• They include the ciliary muscles of the eyeball and the
circular muscles (sphincter pupillae) of the iris.
• Parasympathetic impulses propagate from oculomotor
nucleus in the midbrain to the ciliary ganglion, a relay
center of the autonomic nervous system.

• From the ciliary ganglion, parasympathetic axons to

the ciliary muscles, which adjust the lens for near
vision.

• Other parasympathetic axons stimulate the circular

muscles of the iris to contract when bright light
stimulate the eye, causing decrease in the size of the
pupil (constriction).
 Oculomotor Nerve (III)
• Proprioceptive sensory axons from the extrinsic
eyeball muscles begin their course towards the brain
in the oculomotor nerve but eventually leave the
nerve to join ophthalmic branch of trigeminal nerve.
• They do not return to the brain in the oculomotor
nerve.
• The cell bodies of the sensory axons reside in the
trigeminal ganglion, and they enter the midbrain via
trigeminal nerve.
• These axons convey nerve impulses for
proprioception, the nonvisual perception of the
movements and position of the body, from extrinsic
eyeball muscles.
 Trochlear Nerve (IV)
• Motor nerve
• Smallest cranial nerve
• Arises from posterior part of the brainstem.
 Trochlear Nerve (IV)
• The motor neurons originate in the trochlear nucleus
in the midbrain, and axons from the nucleus pass
through the superior orbital fissure of orbit.
• These somatic motor axons innervate the superior
oblique muscles of the eyeball. (extrinsic eyeball
muscle that control movement of the eyeball)

• Proprioceptive sensory axons from the superior

oblique muscle begin their course toward the brain in
the trochlear nerve but eventually leave the nerve to
join ophtalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve.
• They do not return to the brain in the trochlear nerve.
• The cells body of sensory neurons reside in the
trigeminal ganglion, and they enter the midbrain via
trigeminal nerve.
 Trochlear Nerve (IV)
• Like those of the oculomotor nerve, these axons convey nerve
impulses for proprioception, the nonvisual perception of the
movements and position of the body, from extrinsic eyeball
muscles.
 Trigeminal Nerve (V)
• Mixed nerve
• Largest cranial nerve
• 2 roots from
ventrolateral of the
pons
• Have large sensory
root and small motor
root
 Trigeminal Nerve (V)
• Large sensory root
– Has swelling part – trigeminal ganglion
– Trigeminal ganglion located in the fossa inner
surface of petrous portion.
– The trigeminal ganglion contain cell bodies of most
of the primary sensory neurons.
• Small motor root
– Originate from nucleus in the pons
 Trigeminal Nerve (V)
• Consists 3
branches

– Ophtalmic

– Maxillary

– Mandibular
 Trigeminal Nerve (V)
• Ophthalmic Branch
– Smallest branches of T.N
– Enter orbit through superior orbital fissure
– Contain sensory axon from; (1) skin over upper
eyelid, (2) eyeball, (3) lacrimal gland, (4) upper part
of nasal cavity, (5)side of the nose, forehead,
anterior half of the scalp.
 Trigeminal Nerve (V)
• Maxillary Branch
– Intermediate in size
– Enter the foramen rotundum of sphenoid
– Contain sensory axon from; (1)mucosa layer of the
nose, (2) palate, (3) part of the pharynx, (4) upper
teeth, (5) upper lips, (6) lower eyelid.
 Trigeminal Nerve (V)
• Mandibular Branch
– Largest T.N
– Exits through the foramen ovale of sphenoid
– Contain sensory axons from : (1) anterior 2/3 tongue,
(2) cheek and mucosa deep into it, (3) lower teeth, (4)
skin over the mandible and side of the head anterior
to the ear, (5) mucosa of the floor of the mouth.
• The sensory axons from 3 branches enter the
trigeminal ganglion and terminate in the nuclei in the
pons.
• The trigeminal nerve also contain sensory fiber from
proprioceptors located in the muscles of the
mastication
 Trigeminal Nerve (V)
• Somatic motor axons of the trigeminal nerve are part of
the mandibular nerve and supply muscles of
mastication.
• Masseter, temporalis, medial and lateral pterygoid,
anterior belly of digastric, mylohyoid and tensor
tympani.
• Important control chewing movements.
 Abducens Nerve (VI)
• Motor nerve

• Origin – abducens nucleus of the pons

 Abducens Nerve (VI)
• Somatic motor axons
extend from the nucleus to
the lateral rectus muscle of
the eyeball, through the
superior orbital fissure of
the orbit.
• Nerve impulses cause
abduction of the eyeball
 Abducens Nerve (VI)
• Proprioceptive sensory axons from the lateral rectus
muscle begin their course toward the brain in the
abducens nerve but eventually leave the nerve to
join ophtalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve.
• They do not return to the brain in the abducens
nerve.
• The cells body of sensory neurons reside in the
trigeminal ganglion, and they enter the midbrain via
trigeminal nerve.
• These axons convey nerve impulses for
proprioception, the nonvisual perception of the
movements and position of the body, fro extrinsic
eyeball muscles.
 Facial Nerve (VII)
• Mixed nerve
• Sensory axons extend from the taste buds of the
tongue (anterior 2/3) through the geniculate ganglion
(a cluster of cell bodies of sensory neuron that lies
beside facial nerve, and end in the pons)
• Sensory portion of the facial nerve also contain axons
from proprioceprors in muscles of the face and scalp
and from skin in the ear canal.
 Facial Nerve (VII)
• Axons of somatic motor neurons arise from nucleus in
the pons, pass through petrous portion of temporal and
innervate facial, scalp and neck muscles.
• Innervations this axons cause contraction of facial
expression muscles, plus stylohyoid, posteriorbelly of
digastric, and stapedius in the ear.
• Axons of parasymapthetic
neuron that are part of the
facial nerve end in 2
parasymapthetic ganglia;
pterygopalatine and
submandibular ganglion.
• From this 2 ganglia, other
parasympathic axons
extends to the lacrimal
gland, nasal gland, palatine
gland, sublingual and
submandibular gland.
 Vestibulocochlear Nerve (VIII)
• Acoustic @ Auditory nerve
• Sensory nerve
• Has 2 branches; vestibular and cochlear branches.
Vestibulocochlear Nerve (VIII)
 Vestibulocochlear Nerve (VIII)
• Vestibular branch
– Carry impulses fro equibilirium
– Sensory axons in the vestibular branch arise from semicircular
canals, the saccule, and the utricle of the inner ear.
– Then extend to the vestibular ganglion, where the cell bodies
are located.
– And end in the vestibular nuclei in the medulla oblongata.
– Some sensory axons enter the cerebellum via the inferior
cerebellar peduncle.
• Cochlear Branch
– Carry impulses for hearing
– Sensory axons in the cochlear branch arise in the spiral
organ (Organ of Corti) in the cochlea of the inner ear.
– The cell bodies of cochlear branch sensory neurons are
located in the spiral ganglion of the cochlea.
– From there axons extend to cochlear nuclei in the medulla
oblongata.
 Glossopharyngeal Nerve (IX)
• Mix nerve
• Sensory axons of GN arise from :
– Taste buds and somatic sensory receptor on the
posterior 1/3 of tongue
– Proprioceptors in swallowing muscles supply by
motor portion
– Baroreceptors in the carotid sinus
– Chemoreseptor in the carotid body
Glossopharyngeal Nerve (IX)
• The cell bodies of these sensory neurons are
located in the superior and inferior ganglia.
• From these ganglia, sensory axons pass through
the jugular foramen and end in the medulla
oblongata.
• Axons of motor neurons in GN arise in nuclei of the
MO and exit the skull through the jugular foramen.
• Somatic motor neuron innervate the stylopharyngeus
muscle and autonomic motor neurons
(parasympathetic) stimulate the parotid gland to
secrete saliva.
• Some of the sell bodies of parasymapthetic motor
neuron are located in the otic ganglion.
 Vagus Nerve (X)
• Mixed nerve
• Sensory axon arise from:
– Skin of the external ear
– A few taste bud in the epiglottis and pharynx
– Proprioceptors in muscles of the neck and throat
– Baroreceptor in the arch of aorta
– Chemoreceptor in the aortic bodies
– Visceral sensory receptors in the most organs of thoracic and
abdominal cavities.
• These axons pass through the jugular foramen and
end in the MO and pons
• The somatic motor neurons, arise from nuclei in the
MO and supply muscle of the pharynx, larynx, and soft
palate that used in swallowing and vocalization.
• Axons autonomic motor neuron (parasympathetic) in
the vagus nerve originate in nuclei of MO and end in
the lungs and heart.
• Vagal parasympathetic axons also supply gland of GIT
and smooth muscles of respiratory tract, esophagus,
stomach, gallbladder, small intestine and most of the
large intestine.
 Accessory Nerve (XI)
• Motor nerve
• Motor axons arise in the anterior gray of the 1st 5
segments of the cervical portion of the spinal cord.
• The axons from the segment exit the spinal cord
laterally and come together, pass through the foramen
magnum and exit through the jugular foramen along
with the vagus nerve.
• The AN convey motor impulses to the
sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles to
coordinate head movement.
• Sesnory axons in the AN originate from proprioceptors
in the muscles supplied by its motor neurons begins
their course toward the brain in the AN but eventually
leave the nerve and to join the cervical plexus.
• From cervical plexus, they enetr the spinal cord via the
posterior root of the cervical spinal nerve to pass to
and end in the MO.
• The sensory axon do not return to the barin in the AN
and, like all sensory axon, have their cell bodies in
posterior root ganglion.
 Hypoglossal Nerve (XII)
• Motor nerve
• Somatic motor axons originate in the hypoglossal
nuclei in the MO, pass through the hypoglossal canal,
and supply the muscles of the tongue.
• These axons conduct impulses for speech and
swallowing.
• Sensory axons that originate from proprioceptors in
the tongue muscles begin their course towards the
brain in the hypoglossal nerve.
• They leave the nerve and join cervical spinal nerve and
end in the MO, again entering the CNC via posterior
root of cervical spinal nerve.
• The sensory axons do not return to the brain in the
hypoglossal nerve.
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