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==Cranial Nerves==
 
==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.
 
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.
===Olfaction (I)===
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===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.
 
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.
 
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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.
 
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.
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===Optic Nerve (II)===
    
==Cranial Nerve Location and Routes==
 
==Cranial Nerve Location and Routes==
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