Recognizing the Cranial Nervous System and its Functions

Despite their small size, cranial nerves play a large role in the movement of the human body. This is because the cranial nerves have a function in collecting and connecting information from the brain to other parts of the body, especially the head and neck.

Cranial nerves consist of 12 pairs with different names and functions. Some nerves are directly involved in special senses, such as sight, hearing, and taste, while others are involved in controlling muscles in the face or regulating glands.

Understanding the Functions of the 12 Cranial Nerves and Their Disorders

Each cranial nerve is listed in Roman numerals arranged according to its location, from the front of the brain to the back.

The following are the names and functions of the 12 cranial nerves:

I. Olfactory nerves

II. Optic nerve

III. Oculomotor nerve

IV. trochlear nerve

V. Trigeminal nerve

VI. abducens nerve

VII. Nerve fasialis

Nerves that control facial expressions, tongue, and information from the ear. Disruption of the facial nerve can cause one side of the face to droop, the mouth cannot whistle, the forehead cannot wrinkle, the mouth tilts to one side of the face, and the eyelids cannot close. This nerve paralysis is called Bell's palsy.

VIII. vestibulocochlear nerve

IX. Glossopharyngeal nerve

X. Vagus nerve

XI. accessory nerves

XII. Hypoglossal nerve

In this last cranial nerve affects the muscles in the tongue.

As mentioned above, the work of the cranial nerves can be impaired. Some of these disorders can be caused by syphilis, diabetes mellitus, tumors, multiple sclerosis, chronic meningitis, sarcoidosis, vasculitis, and lupus disease.

The cranial nervous system has a very important role. Without cranial nerves, body functions will be disrupted. If you experience symptoms that may be related to cranial nerves, it is advisable to immediately consult a doctor.