CRANIAL NERVESName, Function, Assessment, Type

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Cranial Nerve I

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OLFACTORY

Function: Smell

Assessment: Assess recognition of common smells (candy, sports drink, grass)

Type: Sensory

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Cranial Nerve II

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OPTIC

Function: Visual acuity, reaction to light

Assessment: Have patient focus on near and distant vision. Assess P.E.A.R.L. (Pupils Equal And Reactive to Light) with pen light.

Type: SensoryClick here to

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Cranial Nerve III

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OCULOMOTOR

Function: Elevation of upper eyelid; eye adduction and downward rolling

Assessment: Assess patient’s ability to move eye’s upward, downward, and medially

Type: Motor

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Cranial Nerve IV

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TROCHLEAR

Function: Inferiolateral eye movement

Assessment: Assess patient’s ability to move eyes downward and laterally.

Type: Motor

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Cranial Nerve V

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TRIGEMINAL

Function: Muscles of mastication (chewing);

facial sensation

Assessment: Assess patient’s ability to bite down; touch patient on various areas of face.

Type: BothClick here to go

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Cranial Nerve VI

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ABDUCENS

Function: Lateral eye movement

Assessment: Assess patient’s ability to move eyes laterally.

Type: Motor

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Cranial Nerve VII

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FACIAL

Function: Muscles of expression; taste

Assessment: Have patient make a variety of faces (smile, frown); have them taste something (sports drink).

Type: BothClick here to go

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Cranial Nerve VIII

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VESTIBULOCOCHLEAR

Function: Equilibrium (balance); hearing

Assessment: Balance and coordination tests; rubbing or tapping fingers by ears

Type: SensoryClick here to go

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Cranial Nerve XI

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GLOSSOPHARYNGEAL

Function: Pharyngeal muscles (tongue movements); taste

Assessment: Have patient swallow; may check gag reflex

Type: BothClick here to

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Cranial Nerve X

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VAGUS

Function: Breathing, tasting, and

swallowing

Assessment: Have patient stick out tongue and move it around; have patient drink something (sports drink)

Type: Both

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Cranial Nerve XI

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(Spinal) ACCESSORY

Function: Trapezius & sternocleidomastoid muscles

Assessment: Have patient shrug shoulders and bring head to chest (neck flexion)

Type: MotorClick here to go

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Cranial Nerve XII

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HYPOGLOSSAL

Function: Tongue movement

Assessment: Have patient stick out tongue and move it around.

Type: MotorClick here to go

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