Cranial Nerves - Anatomy & Physiology

The brainstem, cranial nerves and pyramids. © BioMed Archive.

Introduction

Cranial nerves are those nerves which arise from the brain and brain stem rather than the spinal cord. Nerves arising from the spinal cord are the peripheral nerves. There are 12 pairs of cranial nerves and these pairs of nerves passage through foramina in the skull, either individually or in groups. Cranial nerves are traditionally referred to by Roman numerals and these numerals begin cranially and run caudally.

The most cranial nerve is the Olfactory nerve (I) which runs from the nasal cavity through to the olfactory bulb. The next most cranial is the Optic nerve (II) which runs from the eyes to the thalamus. Cranial nerves III to XII all exit from the brain stem and innervate the head, neck and organs in the thorax and abdomen. In order of most cranial to caudal, these include the Oculomotor nerve (III), the Trochlear nerve (IV), the Trigeminal nerve (V), the Abducens nerve (VI), the Facial nerve (VII), the Vestibulocochlear nerve (VIII), the Glossopharyngeal nerve (IX), the Vagus nerve (X), the Accessory nerve (XI) and the Hypoglossal nerve (XII).

Many of the cranial nerves with nuclei within the brain stem contain sensory and motor neurone components. The sensory fibre components have their cell bodies located in ganglia outside the central nervous system and the motor fibre element have their cell bodies within the central nervous system.

Cranial Nerve Fibre Types

Prior to a full explanation of each cranial nerve function, physiology, anatomy and particularly composition, the numerous types of nerve fibre found in cranial nerves must be explained to ensure that the following page can be better understood. Nerve fibres can undertake numerous roles within the body and their function is dictated by what type of fibre the nerve is composed of. A classification scheme is used to describe the type of fibres found within the cranial nerves and therefore provide a better understanding of the function and composition of that particular nerve. Below is a brief outline of this nerve fibre classification.

Afferent Fibres - Sensory

General Somatic Afferent (GSA)

This type of fibre is used in the majority of basic senses including temperature, touch and pain. These fibres mainly supply sensation to various areas of the head including to the skin and face via the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V); to the skin of the external ear via the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V), the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII), the glossopharyngeal nerve (cranial nerve IX) and via the vagus nerve (cranial nerve X); to the mucosae of the oral cavity via the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V) and to the meningies of the brain via the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V) and the vagus nerve (cranial nerve X).

Sensory cortex —→ Thalamus —→ Trigeminal nuclei —→ Trigeminal ganglion —→ Skin etc.

Special Somatic Afferent (SSA)

The special signifies that this fibre type is found in nerves related to the special senses which include vision and hearing. This therefore relates to the optic nerves (cranial nerve II) and the auditory/vestibular systems which are the vestibulocochlear nerves (cranial nerve VIII).

General Visceral Afferent (GVA)

This fibre type is commonly found in sensory nerves to organs and to sensory tissues related to chemicals. These include fibres found in the glossopharyngeal nerves (cranial nerve IX) and the vagus nerves (cranial nerve X).

Sensory cortex —→ Thalamus —→ Cranial nerve nuculi —→ Nerve ganglion —→ Organs etc.

Special Visceral Afferent (SVA)

This fibre type is found again in special sense organs related to the sensing of chemicals and therefore including taste and olfaction. The olfactory sense relates to the olfactory nerve (cranial nerve I) and the taste senses relate to the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII), the glossopharyngeal nerve (cranial nerve IX) and the vagus nerve (cranial nerve X). The sense of taste is performed by the gustatory organ which are cells located in gustatory papillae in the mucous membrane of the dorsal side of the tongue. Taste buds can also be found in the soft palate, pharynx, larynx, lips and cheeks.

Efferent Fibres - Motor

General Somatic Efferent (GSE)

This type of nerve fibre is mainly found in nerves supplying skeletal muscles. Motor fibres such as these undertake numerous roles within the body such as control over the external ocular muscles via the oculomotor nerve (cranial nerve III), the trochlear nerve (cranial nerve IV) and the abducent nerve (cranial nerve VI); or for example the muscles around the dorsal and ventral neck including the brachiocephalicus, trapezius, omotransversarius and the sternocephalicus which are all supplied by the accessory nerve (cranial nerve XI).

Motor cortex —→ Motor nuculi —→ Muscle

General Visceral Efferent (GVE)

This type of nerve fibre is found in nerves supplying smooth muscle, cardiac muscle and glands. Sympathetic innervation for this type of nerve fibre comes directly from the cranial cervical ganglion. However, parasympathetic innervation comes from several cranial nerves including the oculomotor nerve (cranial nerve III), the vestibulocochlear nerve (cranial nerve VIII), the glossopharyngeal nerve (cranial nerve IX) and the vagus nerve (cranial nerve X). Examples of where this type of fibre functions include the pupillary sphinter via the oculomotor nerve, glands of the nasal/oral cavity via the vestibulocochlear and glossopharyngeal nerves and thoracic/abdominal viscera via the vagus nerve.

Brainstem —→ Parasympathetic nuculi —→ Parasympathetic ganglion —→ Gland etc.

Special sensory fibres (SSS + SVS):

Smell SVS

Priform cortex —→ Olfactory tubercle —→ Olfactory Bulb —→ SMELL

Vision SSS

Occipital cortex —→ Thalamus MGN —→ Rostral colliculus/Retinal ganglion cell —→ Bipolar cell —→ VISION

Hearing/Balance SSS

Temporal cortex —→ Thalamus MGN —→ Caudal colliculus and hindbrain —→ Spiral ganglion —→ HEARING

Taste SVS

Sensory cortex —→ Thalamus —→ Hindbrain (VII, IX, X) —→ Ganglion —→ TASTE

Cranial Nerves

There are three main groups of cranial nerves; special senses, innervation of the head muscles and innervation of structures originating from brancial arches. The special senses cranial nerves include the olfactory, ocular and vestibulocochlear. Cranial nerves related to the innervation of the head muscles include the oculomotor, trochlear, abducens and the hypoglossal nerves. Cranial nerves related to innervation of structures originating from branchial arches includes the trigeminal, facial, glossopharyngeal, vagus and accessory nerves.

Olfactory Nerve (I)

Olfaction is part of the special senses cranial nerve group and represents the chemical senses of olfaction (smell) and gustation (taste). When chemical substances interact with our bodies they stimulate special sensory cells which in turn generate an action potential. The resultant impulse is sent to the brain via sensory afferent fibres and it is these fibres that represent the olfactory cranial nerve. Note: an action potential is only generated where a special sensory cell for that particular chemical substance exists. The special sensory cells are found within the olfactory mucous membrane in the nasal fundus and the olfactory neurosensory cells are found within the olfactory epithelium. The olfactory epithelium contains cilia on the surface of the cells to increase the surface area for chemical interactions.

The olfactory nerve runs to the olfactory bulb which is found within the telencephalon. The olfactory nerve is a sensory nerve and is composed of many Special Visceral Afferent fibres. The fibres are formed into bundles that are referred to as 'Olfactory filaments'. The olfactory nerve passes through the Cribiform plate and is surrounded by meningeal sheets including the sub-arachnoid space. Therefore the route of the olfactory nerve represents a potential site for an infection to track towards the brain. Injury of this nerve can lead to 'anosmia', or loss of smell.

The olfactory organ in dogs is extremely well developed and species such as dogs use olfaction to orientate themselves in an environment in a way that humans do not. Olfactory cells are continuously replaced and are only viable sensory cells for between 30 - 60 days. This point is of importance as this is the only area in which nerve cells are able to be replaced or regenerated in adult animals and this area is now under research at Cambridge University for the treatment of damaged nerves and/or nerve disorders in nerves other than those involved in olfaction.

Optic Nerve (II)

The optic nerve is part of the special senses cranial nerves and represents the connection between the receptor cells of the retina and the diencephalon. The optic nerve is a sensory nerve and is composed of Special Somatic Afferent fibres. The optic nerve passes through the optic chiasm which is an area of the ventral brain where both optic nerves run in a medial direction and eventually decussate. The optic nerve runs through the optic canal.

The optic nerve can be examined clinically via a menace response and anopsia (loss of vision) can be seen in injury.

Oculomotor nerve (III)

The oculomotor nerve is part of the group of cranial nerves responsible for innervating the muscles of the head. The nerves originate from the ventral midbrain and is a motor nerve. It is composed of general somatic efferent fibres and general visceral efferent fibres. The general somatic efferent fibres of the oculomotor nerve are responsible for the motor function of four of the six external muscles of the eyeball; the 'dorsal rectus', 'medial rectus', 'ventral rectus', 'ventral oblique' and 'levator of the upper eyelid'. The general visceral efferent fibres of the oculomotor nerve are responsible for the control of pupil diameter and therefore control the 'spincter pupillae' muscle and the 'ciliaris' muscle.

The oculomotor nerve has a pre-ganglionic nucleus in the midbrain and the nerve passes through the orbital fissure, along with the trochlear, abducens and opthalmic branch (V1) of the trigeminal nerve. It synapses in the ciliary ganglion of the eye. During a clinical examination, horizontal eye movements (strabismus) or an abscent pupillary light reflex (PLR) may indicate a problem.

Trochlear nerve (IV)

The trochlear nerve is part of the cranial nerve group responsible for innervation of the muscles of the head. The trochlear nerve originates from the dorsal mid-brain and is a motor nerve. It is composed of general somatic efferent fibres and is the smallest of the cranial nerves. The nerve is specifically responsible for the 'dorsal oblique muscle' muscle of the eye and also passes through the orbital fissure.

During a clinical examination, a dorso-lateral strabismus may indicate a problem with this nerve.

Trigeminal nerve (V)

The trigeminal nerve is part of the cranial nerve group responsible for innervation of structures originating from branchial arches. The trigeminal nerve nuclei is in the area of the pons and medulla oblongata and is the nerve of the 1st branchial arch. In general terms the trigeminal represents the sensory nerve of the head but also provides motor fibres to structures also assoicated with the 1st branchial arch. There are three primary branches of the trigeminal nerve; the Opthalmic nerve (V1), the Maxillary nerve (V2) and the Mandibular nerve (V3).

Opthalmic nerve (V1)

The opthalmic nerve is a sensory nerve composed of general somatic afferent fibres and passes through the orbital fissue. As it enters the orbit of the eye it splits further into the lacrimal nerve, the frontal nerve, the nasociliary nerve and the infratrochlear nerve. Therefore the nerve supplies sensory fibres to many aspects of the eye orbit.

Maxillary nerve (V2)

The maxillary nerve is a sensory nerve composed of general somatic afferent fibres. The maxillary nerve passes through the round foramen and the alar canal. It also runs across the wall of the pterygopalatine fossa and enters the infraorbital canal via the maxillary foramen. Whilst in the infraorbital canal the maxillary nerve branch then branches further into the infraorbital nerve which supplies sensory fibres to the teeth. On exiting the infraorbital canal via the infraorbital foramen, the maxillary nerve branches again into the zygomatic nerve which supplies sensory fibres to the horn and to the pterygopalatine nerve supplying sensory fibres to the palate.

Mandibular nerve (V3)

The mandibular nerve is a mixed sensory (general somatic afferent fibres) and motor (general somatic efferent) nerves. The mandibular nerve passes through the oval foramen. It provides motor branches to the masticatory muscles, the ventral throat and muscles of the palate. The mandibular nerve further branches into the masticatory nerve, the masseteric nerve and the temporal nerve. The mandibular nerve provides sensory branches called the buccal nerve, the auriculotemporal nerve, and then itself divides into two smaller branches; the lingual nerve and the inferior alveolar nerve. The lingual nerve receives sensory taste fibres and also connects some sensory taste fibres to parasympathetic salivary glands via the chorda tympani. Via the chorda tympani branch the mandibular branch supplies sensory fibres related to taste to the rostral 2/3 of the tongue. The lingual branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve supplies sensory fibres to the caudal 1/3 of the tongue.

Abducent nerve (VI)

The abducent nerve is part of the cranial nerve group responsible for innervation of the muscles of the head. The abducent nerve originates from the medulla oblongata and is a motor nerve. It is composed of general somatic efferent fibres which are responsible for controlling the 'lateral rectus' muscle and the 'restractor bulbi' muscle of the eye. The nerve passes through the orbital fissure and can be found within the same layer of the meninges as the opthalmic branch (V1) of the trigeminal nerve (V).

During a clinical examination, medial deviation stribismus may indicate a problem with this nerve.

Facial nerve (VII)

The facial nerve is part of the cranial nerve group responsible for the innervation of structures originating from the branchial arches. It originates from the medulla oblongata and from the second branchial arch. It has a common dura sheet with the opthalmic (V1) branch of the trigeminal nerve. The facial nerve is of a mixed composite and is made up of a number of different fibre types. It has a general somatic efferent fibre within the ear canal, a general visceral efferent fibre acting under parasympathetic control to some salivary glands, lacrimal glands, nasal cavity and palate, a special visceral afferent fibre providing taste to the rostral 2/3 of the tongue and finally it has a general somatic efferent fibre supplying motor function to the muscles of facial expression.

The facial nerve enters the petrosal bone via the internal acoustic meatus along with the vestibulocochlear nerve. The facial nerve also runs inside the facial canal. There are a number of intermediate branches which seperate from the main facial nerve inside the facial canal including the greater petrosal nerve, the stapedial nerve (motor) and the chorda tympani. These then emerges via the stylomastoid foramen at the caudoventral aspect of the skull. The chorda tympani of the facial nerve represents the special visceral afferent fibre supplying taste to the rostral 2/3 of the tongue.

There are also numerous external branches of the facial nerve once the facial nerve has left the facial canal. These include the internal auricular nerve, the auriculopalpebral nerve, the rostral auricular nerve, the palpebral nerve, the dorsal buccolabial nerve, the ventral buccolabial nerve, the ramus colli, the digastric nerve, the stylohoid nerve and the caudal auricular nerve.

The facial nerve supplies motor innervation to the muscles of facial expression. These are superficial flat, thin muscles that opriginate from bony areas of fascia and then radiate out around the skin. They may also often from sphincters such as around the mouth and eye.

During a clinical examination any facial paralysis, drooling or abscence of blinking may indicate a problem with the facial nerve.

Vestibulocochlear nerve (VIII)

The vestibulocochlear nerve is part of the special senses group of cranial nerves and is made up of two components; the vestibular nerve and the cochlear nerve. The vestibular nerve is responsible for balance whilst the cochlear nerve is responsible for hearing. The nerves send impulses from the inner ear which contains the vestibular apparatus and cochlear. The vestibulocochlear nerve is a sensory nerve made up of special somatic afferent fibres. It passes through the internal acoustic meatus and into the petrosal bone. The facial nerve also takes this route.

Clinical problems with the vestibulocochlear nerve would be indicated on examination by changes in hearing and/or horizontal and verticle eye movements (strabismus and nystagmus). A head tilt is also associated with this nerve.

Glossopharyngeal nerve (IX)

The glossopharyngeal nerve is part of the group of cranial nerves responsible for innervation of structures derived from the branchial arches. This nerve is innervates structures related to the third branchial arch. It is also part of a group together with the vagus and accessory nerves that passes through the jugular foramen which is termed the vagus group. The glossopharyngeal nerve has cell bodies that are referred to as nucleus ambiguus. The glossopharyngeal nerve originates from the medulla oblongata and has several branches including the pharyngeal nerve, the lingual nerve and the tympanic branches.

The glossopharyngeal nerve is composed of many fibre types including general somatic efferent fibres that innervate the stylopharyngeus muscle; the general visceral afferent fibres that provide sensory information from the carotid body, the pharynx and the middle ear; the general visceral efferent fibres that provide parasympathetic innervation to the parotid and zygomatic salivary glands; the special visceral afferent fibres that provide taste caudal to the tongue and finally the general somatic afferent fibres that provide sensory information from the external ear.

The lingual branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve provides general somatic afferent fibres and special visceral afferent fibres to the caudal 1/3 of the tongue.

On clinical examination, choking or dysphagia as a result of malfunctioning or abscent pharyngeal reflexes would indicate a problem with the glossopharyngeal nerve.

Vagus nerve (X)

The vagus nerve is part of the group of cranial nerves responsible for innervation of structures derived from the branchial arches. It is also part of a group together with the glossopharyngeal and accessory nerves that passes through the jugular foramen which is termed the vagus group. The vagus nerve innervates structures related to the fourth branchial arch. The vagus nerve has cell bodies that are referred to as nucleus ambiguus.

The vagus nerve is composed of many different types of nerve fibre including general somatic efferent fibres supplying motor function to the muscles of the larynx, pharynx, palate and oesophagus; general visceral afferent fibres to the base of the tongue, pharynx and larynx; general visceral efferent fibres for parasympathetic supply of the thoracic and abdominal viscera; special visceral afferent fibres supplying taste to regions of the epiglottis and palate and finally general somatic afferent fibres to the external ear and the dura mater. The vagus nerve also supplies general somatic afferent fibres and special visceral afferent fibres to the root of the tongue.

There are many functional components of the vagus nerve including the heart, larynx, pharynx and many other viscera. On clinical examination any changes related to gag reflexes, blood pressure or heart rate, changes in 'voice' or inspiratory dyspnoea may indicate a problem with the vagus nerve.

Accessory nerve (XI)

The accessory nerve is part of the group of cranial nerves responsible for innervation of structures derived from the branchial arches. It is also part of a group together with the glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves that passes through the jugular foramen which is termed the vagus group. The accessory nerve supplies structures related to the fourth brancial arch. The accessory nerve has cell bodies that are referred to as nucleus ambiguus and originate in the medulla oblongata. The cranial root of the accessory nerve actually contributes to the vagus nerve and to the striated muscles of the pharynx, larynx, palate and oesophagus.

However the accessory nerve also contributes to the cervical spinal cord and spinal root through the foramen magnum providing innervation to muscles of the neck. The spinal root of the accessory nerve branches into the dorsal branch and the ventral branch. The dorsal branch innervates the brachiocephalicus, trapezius and omotransversarius muscles of the dorsal neck. The ventral branch innervates the sternocephalicus muscle.

During clinical examination any difficulties in turning the neck or muscle atrophy around the dorsal and ventral neck may indicate a problem with the accessory nerve.

Hypoglossal nerve (XII)

The hypoglossal nerve is part of the group of cranial nerves responsible for the control of muscles of the head. It is in part a cervical nerve due to its caudal position on the brain stem. The nerve is composed of general somatic efferent fibres which control the intrisic and exterinsic muscles of the tongue (together with other nerves including the lingual nerve, facial nerve, lingual branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve and the vagus nerve). The nuclei of the nerve is located within the medulla oblongata of the brain stem and it passes through the hypoglossal canal.

During a clinical examination any deviation of the tongue may indicate a problem with this nerve. Deviation of the tongue is always to the side of the lesion.

Cranial Nerve Location and Routes

A summary of the cranial nerves is shown below:

Nerve	Attatchment to brain	Exit Foramen	Fibre Type	Location of cell bodies	Distribution
I - Olfactory	Olfactory bulb	Cribriform plate	SVS	Olfactory epithelium	Olfactory epithelium
II - Optic	Optic chiasma	Optic canal	SSS	Retina	Retina
III - Occulomotor	Midbrain	Orbital fissure and Round Foramen	GSM + GVM	Nuculi III parasympathetic nuculi III	Extraoccular mm. Constrictor pupulli
IV - Trochlear	Midbrain (dorsal)	Round Foramen	GSM	Nuc IV	Dorsal oblique mm.
V - Trigeminal	Pons	V1 - Orbital fissure V2 - Round Foramen and Orbital Fissure V3 - Oval Foramen	V1 - GSS V2 - GSS V3 - SVM	V1 - Trigeminal gangion V2 - Trigeminal ganglion V3 - Nuculi V	V1 - Eye region V2 - Upper jaw inc. teeth V3 - mm. of arch 1
VI - Abducens	Medulla oblongata	Orbital fissure	GSM	Nuc IV	Lateral rectus and retractor bulbi mm.
VII - Facial	Medulla oblongata	Stylomastoid foramen	SVM + GVM + SVS	Nuc III (Taste - gleniailate ganglion)	mm. of arch 2 Submaxillary and sublingual glands Rostral 2/3 taste
VIII - Vestibulocochlear	Medulla oblongata	Inner accoustic meatus	SSS	Vestibular ganglion	Maculae and cristae
IX - Glossopharyngeal	Medulla oblongata	Jugular foramen	G/S V M/S	Ganglia IX - SVM Nuculi ambiguous - mm. arch 3	Carotid gland Caudal 1/3 taste mm. of arch 3 Carotid body
X - Vagus	Medulla oblongata	Jugular foramen	GVM + SUM + GVS + GSS	Ganglion X - (amongst others)	Thoracic and abdominal organs mm. of arches 4-6 Pharynx and larynx External ear
XI - Accessory	Medulla oblongata	Jugular foramen	GSM	Cervical spinal cord	Trapezius m. etc
XII - Hypoglossal	Medulla oblongata	Hypoglossal canal	GSM	Medulla nuculi XII	Tongue mm.

Cranial Nerves and their Functions

#	Name	Nuclei	Function
I	Olfactory nerve	Anterior olfactory nucleus	Transmits the sense of smell
II	Optic nerve	Lateral geniculate nucleus	Transmits visual information to the brain
III	Oculomotor nerve	Oculomotor nucleus, Edinger-Westphal nucleus	Innervates the dorsal rectus, medial rectus, ventral rectus, and ventral oblique, which collectively perform most eye movements
IV	Trochlear nerve	Trochlear nucleus	Innervates the superior oblique muscle, which depresses, pulls laterally, and intorts the eyeball
V	Trigeminal nerve	Principal sensory trigeminal nucleus, Spinal trigeminal nucleus, Mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus, Trigeminal motor nucleus	Receives sensation from the face and innervates the muscles of mastication
VI	Abducens nerve	Abducens nucleus	Innervates the lateral rectus, which abducts the eye and the retractor bulbi which forces the third eyelid across the surface of the cornea as a protective mechanism.
VII	Facial nerve	Facial nucleus, Solitary nucleus, Superior salivary nucleus	Provides motor innervation to the muscles of facial expression and stapedius, receives the special sense of taste from the anterior 2/3 of the tongue, and provides secretomotor innervation to the salivary glands (except parotid) and the lacrimal gland
VIII	Vestibulocochlear nerve	Vestibular nuclei, Cochlear nuclei	Senses sound, rotation and gravity (essential for balance & movement)
IX	Glossopharyngeal nerve	Nucleus ambiguus, Inferior salivary nucleus, Solitary nucleus	Receives taste from the posterior 1/3 of the tongue, provides secretomotor innervation to the parotid gland, and provides motor innervation to the stylopharyngeus
X	Vagus nerve	Nucleus ambiguus, Dorsal motor vagal nucleus, Solitary nucleus	Supplies branchiomotor innervation to most laryngeal and pharyngeal muscles; provides parasympathetic fibers to nearly all thoracic and abdominal viscera down to the splenic flexure; and receives the special sense of taste from the epiglottis
XI	Accessory nerve	Nucleus ambiguus, Spinal accessory nucleus	Controls muscles of the neck and overlaps with functions of the vagus
XII	Hypoglossal nerve	Hypoglossal nucleus	Provides motor innervation to the intrinsic muscles of the tongue and other glossal muscles