| NERVE | PARENT NERVE | MOTORINNERVATION | SENSORY INNERVATION | PATHWAY / DESCRIPTION / CLINICAL / NOTES / ETC |
| Abducens (CN VI) | | Lateral Rectus muscle of the eye | | Runs through the CAVERNOUS SINUS IN THE MIDDLE -- NOT ALONG THE LATERAL WALL; Injury = eye on affected side rotates inward |
| Ansa Cervicales | Cervical Plexus ---> Ansa Cervicales; Hypoglossal (XII) ---> Ansa Cervicales | Strap (Infrahyoid) muscles | | Superior (C1-C2) hitch along Hypoglossus (XII) to innervate Strap Muscles |
| Anterior Ethmoidal | Trigeminal (V) ---> Ophthalmic (V1) ---> Nasociliary ---> Anterior Ethmoidal | | External Nose, anterior nasal cavity | Gives off internal and external nasal branches to supply sensory innervation to nose |
| Auriculotemporal | Trigeminal (V) ---> Mandibular (V3) ---> Auriculotemporal | Parasympathetic secretomotor to Parotid Gland via LESSER PETROSAL (IX) | Outer ear and temporal region. | Gives off Superficial Temporal Branches to supply sensory to the temporal region going up the side of the head; Receives parasympathetic fibers from Lesser Petrosal via OTIC GANGLION; It wraps around the MIDDLE MENINGEAL ARTERY |
| Buccal | Trigeminal (V) ---> Mandibular (V3) ---> Buccal | | Cheek and oral mucosa | Runs parallel with the Parotid duct |
| Chorda Tympani | Facial (VII) ---> Chorda Tympani | Parasympathetic secretomotor innervation to submandibular and sublingual glands | Taste to anterior 2/3 of tongue | One of the two parasympathetic branches of Facial N. (VII); Taste innervation excludes the Circumvallate Papillae; Exits middle ear out the PETROTYMPANIC FISSURE, before the Facial Canal. Then it synapses in SUBMANDIBULAR GANGLION, where it (1) joins up with Lingual N. (V3) to provide taste, and (2) sends secretomotor branches to target glands |
| Deep Petrosal Nerve | Internal Carotid Plexus ---> Deep Petrosal | Sympathetic (inhibitory) to nasal mucosa and lacrimal glands | | Carries SYMPATHETIC innervation from the Internal Carotid Plexus; Joins with Greater Petrosal to form Nerve of Pterygoid Canal; passes through the Sphenopalatine Ganglion but does NOT SYNAPSE; Gives branches to Nasopalatine N. |
| External Laryngeal | Vagus (X) ---> Superior Laryngeal ---> External Laryngeal | Inferior Pharyngeal Muscle and Cricothyroid | | Given off of the Superior Laryngeal Nerve while it is within the CAROTID SHEATH |
| External Nasal | Trigeminal (V) ---> Ophthalmic (V1) ---> Nasociliary ---> Anterior Ethmoidal ---> External Nasal; Trigeminal (V) ---> Maxillary (V2) ---> Infraorbital ---> External Nasal | | External surface of nose | Has anastomotic branches from both Ophthalmic (via Anterior Ethmoidal and Infratrochlear) and Maxillary (via Infraorbital) branches of the Trigeminal |
| Facial (CN VII) | | BRANCHIAL motor (Arch II) to all muscles of facial expression; Secretomotor to all glands in head EXCEPT Parotid; Stapedius muscle | Taste to anterior 2/3 of tongue (SVA); Somatic sensation to ear canal and ear drum | TASTE Cell bodies are housed in GENICULATE GANGLION; Passes through Parotid Gland but does not innervate it; BELL'S PALSY = loss of facial expression; Branchial motor branches go out the STYLOMASTOID FORAMEN, and secretomotor branches DON'T. |
| Frontal | Trigeminal (V) ---> Ophthalmic (V1) ---> Frontal | | | Gives off Supratrochlear and Supraorbital branches. |
| Glossopharyngeal (CN IX) | | Parasympathetic secretomotor to Parotid Gland; BRANCHIAL motor to Stylopharyngeus Muscle (Branchial Arch III) | Taste to posterior 1/3 of tongue; Somatic sensation to posterior tongue, pharynx, and inner part of ear; Visceral Sensation to baroreceptors in the CAROTID SINUS; Somatic sensation to tympanic membrane | Exits Posterior Cranial Fossa through JUGULAR FORAMEN; Damage may ruin sensory to Oropharynx, which impairs SWALLOWING REFLEX; The nerve travels adhered to the STYLOPHARYNGEUS MUSCLE, then penetrates pharynx between Superior and Middle Constrictor muscles; Watch it when performing TONSILLECTOMY |
| Great Auricular | Cervical Plexus (C2-C3) ---> Great Auricular | | External ear, region inferior to ear | 2nd nerve to penetrate investing fascia of Posterior Triangle of neck; Crosses Sternocleidomastoid and heads upward and toward anterior triangle |
| Greater Occipital | Cervical Dorsal Primary Ramus (C1) ---> Greater Occipital | | Back of neck | Distinguished from Lesser Occipital in that it is DORSAL PRIMARY RAMUS; Penetrates Trapezius to innervate back of neck |
| Greater Petrosal Nerve | Facial (VII) ---> Greater Petrosal | Parasympathetic secretomotor to nasal mucosa and lacrimal glands | | One of the two parasympathetic branches of the Facial N,; Forms Nerve of Pterygoid Canal; synapses in PTERYGOPALATINE GANGLION, then gives branches to Nasopalatine N. (from V2) |
| Hypoglossal (CN XII) | | All intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the tongue, EXCEPT the Palatoglossus | | Exits the posterior cranial fossa through HYPOGLOSSAL CANAL; a portion of Ansa Cervicales hangs off the Hypoglossal but does not intermix with it. Can be found lateral to and below the tongue, near the Lingual Nerve |
| Inferior Alveolar | Trigeminal (V) ---> Mandibular (V3) ---> Inferior Alveolar | Mylohyoid and Anterior Belly of Digastric | Mandibular (lower) teeth | The continuation of the mandibular branch of the Trigeminal, after it has exited through FORAMEN OVALE. It reaches the lower teeth through the MANDIBULAR FORAMEN; Gives off a MYLOHYOID nerve and INCISIVE nerve to incisor teeth and continues onto Mental Foramen and out as Mental Nerve |
| Infraorbital | Trigeminal (V) ---> Maxillary (V2) | | Cutaneous region beneath the eyes; external nose via External Nasal | Exits INFRAORBITAL FORAMEN; gives off Superior Alveolar and External Nasal branches |
| Infratrochlear | Trigeminal (V) ---> Ophthalmic (V1) ---> Nasociliary ---> Infratrochlear | | Inferomedial orbit, sometimes external nose via External Nasal | Divides into Internal and External nasal branches; it is the primary SENSORY supplier to the external nose |
| Internal Laryngeal | Vagus (X) ---> Superior Laryngeal ---> Internal Laryngeal | | Visceral sensory from larynx and laryngeal mucosa in Supraglottic Cavity | Passes between the MIDDLE and INFERIOR pharyngeal constrictors; Pierces the THYROHYOID MEMBRANE |
| Internal Nasal, Medial and Lateral | Trigeminal (V) ---> Ophthalmic (V1) ---> Nasociliary ---> Anterior Ethmoidal ---> Internal Nasal | | Internal surface of nose, lower dorsum of nose | The Lateral Internal Nasal nerve continues to become the External Nasal Nerve, to innervate the tip of the nose |
| Lacrimal | Trigeminal (V) ---> Ophthalmic (V1) ---> Frontal ---> Lacrimal | Parasympathetic secretomotor to Lacrimal glands via GREATER PETROSAL VII) | | Parasympathetic fibers originate from the Greater Petrosal Nerve, which joins with the Ophthalmic (V1) in the orbit |
| Lesser Occipital | Cervical Plexus (C2-C3) ---> Lesser Occipital | | Posterior to ear and back of neck | 1st nerve to penetrates investing fascia of Posterior Triangle of neck |
| Lesser Petrosal | Glossopharyngeal (IX) ---> Tympanic ---> Lesser Petrosal | Secretomotor to Parotid Gland | | Passes out the LESSER PETROSAL HIATUS of Temporal Bone, then passes forward and out FORAMEN OVALE; Synapses in OTIC GANGLION, and then innervates the Parotid Gland via Auriculotemporal Nerve (V3) |
| Lingual | Trigeminal (V) ---> Mandibular (V3) ---> Lingual | | Somatic sensation to anterior 2/3 of tongue; Taste to anterior 2/3 via the Chorda Tympani | Chorda Tympani (from CN VII) joins the Lingual Nerve to provide the SVA fibers to the tongue; it wraps around the Submandibular Duct in the mouth |
| Long Ciliary | Trigeminal (V) ---> Ophthalmic (V1) ---> Nasociliary ---> Long Ciliary | SYMPATHETIC to the Dilator Pupillae Muscle, via Internal Carotid Plexus | Pain information from the surface of the Cornea | Carries SYMPATHETIC innervation from the Internal Carotid Plexus to the dilator muscle from the sympathetic Internal Carotid Plexus |
| Mandibular (V3) | Trigeminal (V) ---> Mandibular (V3) | BRANCHIAL motor to Muscles of Mastication; Tensor Tympani; Tensor Palati; Mylohyoid and Anterior Belly of Digastric | Somatic sensation to anterior 2/3 of tongue; cutaneous chin; mandibular teeth | Sensory components exit through FORAMEN OVALE of the Sphenoid; motor components do not; It is the only branch of CN III-VI to NOT go through cavernous sinus |
| Maxillary (V2) | Trigeminal (V) ---> Maxillary (V2) | | Cutaneous upper lip, nose, and infraorbital region; maxillary teeth; Nasopharynx; Soft Palate | Exits skull through FORAMEN ROTUNDUM to enter Sphenopalatine Fossa; Sensory innervation to nasopharynx is important during SWALLOWING; Branches into Zygomatic, Posterior Superior Alveolar, Greater and Lesser Palatine, and Nasopalatine branches; Runs through CAVERNOUS SINUS along lateral wall |
| Mental | Trigeminal (V) ---> Mandibular (V3) ---> Inferior Alveolar ---> Mental | | Cutaneous chin, lower lip, and side of mandible | Ultimately from Mandibular (V3), a terminal branch of the Inferior Alveolar past the MENTAL FORAMEN of the mandible |
| Nasociliary | Trigeminal (V) ---> Ophthalmic (V1) ---> Nasociliary | | Nose, and pain information from cornea | Runs along the medial side of the orbit, and divides into anterior ethmoidal and infratrochlear. It also gives off posterior ethmoidal; it is the sensory root to the CILIARY GANGLION |
| Nasopalatine | Trigeminal (V) ---> Maxillary (V2) ---> Nasopalatine | Both parasympathetic and sympathetic to Nasal Mucosa, via GREATER PETROSAL (VII) and DEEP PETROSAL, respectively | Anterior potion of hard palate behind incisors (front teeth); perhaps some internal nasal cavity | Receives Greater Petrosal and Deep Petrosal fibers from SPHENOPALATINE GANGLION; Enters nasal cavity through SPHENOPALATINE FORAMEN, where it gives off lateral and septal branches to nose; Continues through INCISIVE FORAMEN along the SEPTAL WALL, to innervate anterior hard palate |
| Oculomotor (CN III) | | Extrinsic eye muscles, EXCEPT Lateral Rectus and Superior Oblique; Intrinsic Sphincter Pupillae and Ciliary Muscles | | Enters the orbit through the SUPERIOR ORBITAL FISSURE; Synapses in Ciliary Ganglion; Carries PARASYMPATHETIC innervation to the Sphincter Pupillae and Ciliary Muscles; Runs through the CAVERNOUS SINUS along the lateral wall |
| Olfactory (CN I) | | | Olfaction | Cell bodies are in Olfactory Mucosa of Superior Conchae; axons go through CRIBRIFORM PLATE of Ethmoid; Then they go back to CNS along OLFACTORY TRACTS |
| Ophthalmic | Trigeminal (V) ---> Ophthalmic (V1) | | Cutaneous nose, supraorbital region, and forehead | Runs through the CAVERNOUS SINUS along the lateral wall; Synapses in CILIARY GANGLION. Enters the orbit in the SUPERIOR ORBITAL FISSURE |
| Optic (CN II) | | | Sight | Enters the orbit through the OPTIC CANAL, in the Lesser Wing of the Sphenoid; The optic nerve is only that portion between the eye and the Optic Chiasm; TUNNEL VISION = lesion at Optic Chiasm |
| Palatine, Greater and Lesser | Trigeminal (V) ---> Maxillary (V2) ---> Infraorbital ---> Descending Palatine | | Hard and soft palate, lateral nasal wall | Also called descending Palatine Branches of the Infraorbital; Goes through PALATINE FORAMEN to reach hard palate in back of mouth |
| Pharyngeal | Vagus (X) ---> Pharyngeal | Branchial motor to all muscles of the pharynx and soft palate | | Enters the pharynx between the superior and middle pharyngeal constrictors |
| Phrenic | Cervical Plexus (C3-C5) ---> Phrenic | Diaphragm | | It is plastered on top of the Anterior Scalene muscle |
| Recurrent Laryngeal | Vagus (X) ---> Recurrent Laryngeal | All intrinsic muscles of the Larynx EXCEPT the Cricothyroid | Laryngeal Mucosa in Infraglottic Cavity | Travels under Subclavian Artery and the right side, and under the Aortic Arch on the left side; can be found inferior to the Inferior Pharyngeal Constrictor; Easily damaged due to long course |
| Short CIliary | Trigeminal (V) ---> Ophthalmic (V1) ---> Nasociliary ---> Short Ciliary | Parasympathetic to Constrictor Pupillae and Ciliary Muscle, via OCULOMOTOR (III). Also carried SYMPATHETICS | | Receives PARASYMPATHETIC fibers from the Oculomotor (III), via the Ciliary Ganglion. Also some sensory to the cornea + sympathetic to dilator |
| Spinal Accessory (CN XI) | | Trapezius and Sternocleidomastoid BRANCHIAL Muscles | | Cell Bodies are in SPINAL CHORD (C1-C5): They enter skull through FORAMEN MAGNUM, and then exit again through JUGULAR FORAMEN. |
| Superior Alveolar | Trigeminal (V) ---> Maxillary (V2) ---> Infraorbital ---> Superior Alveolar | | Maxillary teeth | Gives off Anterior, Middle (through infraorbital sulcus) and Posterior (in pterygopalatine fossa) branches |
| Superior Laryngeal | Vagus (X) ---> Superior Laryngeal | Inferior Pharyngeal Muscle and Cricothyroid | Visceral sensory from larynx, via the Internal Laryngeal | Divides into Internal Laryngeal and External Laryngeal branches; Damage can be tested by touching laryngeal mucosa to test for sensation |
| Supraorbital | Trigeminal (V) ---> Ophthalmic (V1) ---> Frontal ---> Supraorbital | | Cutaneous region above the eyes | |
| Supratrochlear | Trigeminal (V) ---> Ophthalmic (V1) ---> Frontal ---> Supratrochlear | | Superolateral portion of orbit | |
| Supraclavicular | Cervical Plexus (C3-C4) ---> Supraclavicular | | Anterolateral shoulder, clavicular region | 4th nerve to penetrate investing fascia of Posterior Triangle of neck; heads downward and anteriorly |
| Transverse Cervical | Cervical Plexus (C2-C3) ---> Transverse Cervical | | Neck around sternocleidomastoid | 3rd nerve to penetrate investing fascia of Posterior Triangle of neck; Crosses Sternocleidomastoid and heads directly anteriorly. |
| Trigeminal (CN V) | | BRANCHIAL motor (Arch I) to Muscles of Mastication; Tensor Tympani; Tensor Palati; Mylohyoid and Anterior Belly of Digastric | All sensory innervation for the face | The four parasympathetic ganglia hang off the various branches of the trigeminal; Divides into three principle branches: Opthalmic (V1), Maxillary (V2), and Mandibular (V3) |
| Trochlear (CN IV) | | Superior Oblique muscle of the eye | | It is easily injured due to its long tortuous path (it arises from opposite side of brain and exits dorsally); it is difficult to test due to redundant action; Runs through CAVERNOUS SINUS along lateral wall |
| Tympanic | Glossopharyngeal (IX) ---> Tympanic | Secretomotor to Parotid Gland | | Given off from CN IX at Jugular Foramen; forms TYMPANIC PLEXUS; Exits out LESSER PETROSAL HIATUS, after which it is known as Lesser Petrosal Nerve |
| Vagus (CN X) | | BRANCHIAL (Arches IV-VI) motor to all muscles of larynx, pharynx, and palate, EXCEPT Stylopharyngeus and Tensor Veli Palati; Parasympathetics to Thoracic and Abdominal viscera | Visceral from part of tongue, pharynx and larynx, lungs and heart, CAROTID BODY, stomach; General sensory from larynx, pharynx, and part of external auditory canal | Exits posterior cranial fossa through JUGULAR FORAMEN; Travels in CAROTID SHEATH; Some say Vagus carries SVA taste fibers from a few taste buds in the tongue; Superior and Inferior Vagus Ganglia house SENSORY cell bodies, located inside and just beneath the Jugular Foramen, respectively |
| Vestibulocochlear (CN VIII) | | | Visceral sensory from Semicircular Canals, Utricle, and Saccule; SSA from cochlea = Hearing | Really two nerves: Auditory innervates the cochlea and Vestibular innervates the semi-circular canals; exits cranium through INTERNAL ACOUSTIC MEATUS |
| Vidian's (Nerve of Pterygoid Canal) | FACIAL (VII) ---> Greater Petrosal; and INTERNAL CAROTID PLEXUS ---> Deep Petrosal | Nasal, Lacrimal. | | Goes through PTERYGOID CANAL to PTERYGOPALATINE GANGLION, and on to innervate nasal + lacrimal glands via nasopalatine and lacrimal nerves, respectively; Parasympathetic from Greater Petrosal (VII) and sympathetic from Deep Petrosal |
| Zygomatic | Trigeminal (V) ---> Maxillary (V2) ---> Zygomatic | Parasympathetics to the Lacrimal Glands | Facial and temporal regions inferolateral to eyes | Splits into zygomaticofacial and zygomaticotemporal branches; carries PARASYMPATHETICS to the lacrimal glands for a short time, before they join with the Lacrimal N. |
| Zygomaticofacial | Trigeminal (V) ---> Maxillary (V2) ---> Zygomatic ---> Zygomaticofacial | | Facial (anterior) part of Zygomatic arch | Goes out ZYGOMATICOFACIAL FORAMEN, in the prominence of the Zygomatic bone, right past Pterygopalatine Ganglion |
| Zygomaticotemporal | Trigeminal (V) ---> Maxillary (V2) ---> Zygomatic ---> Zygomaticotemporal | | Temporal (posterior) part of Zygomatic arch | Goes out ZYGOMATICOFACIAL FORAMEN, right past Pterygopalatine Ganglion |
