What it means
Nerves numbered I to XII that serve the head and neck, and one (the vagus) that reaches the heart, lungs and gut. They control smell (I), vision (II), eye movement and pupils (III, IV, VI), face feeling and chewing (V), face movement (VII), hearing and balance (VIII), swallowing and gag (IX, X), shoulder shrug (XI) and the tongue (XII).
For the nurse
A neuro check tests some cranial nerves, such as pupil response to light (III) and face symmetry (VII). Check the gag and swallow before giving food to a client after a stroke.
At a glance
| Spanish | nervio craneal |
|---|---|
| Also written | cranial nerves |
Related terms
central nervous system
The brain and the spinal cord together.
neuron
A nerve cell: a cell that carries electrical and chemical signals through the nervous system.
peripheral nervous system
All the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, which link them to the rest of the body.