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Example Questions
Example Question #23 : Cranial Nerves
The frontal lobe, thalamus, midbrain, pons, and medulla all house specific cranial nerve nuclei.
Which cranial nerves originate in the pons?
V, VI, VII, VIII
IV, V, VI
VI, VII, VIII, IX
VII, VIII, IX, X
IV, V, VI, VII
V, VI, VII, VIII
The twelve cranial nerves and their origins are given below:
I-Olfactory nerve; origin: frontal lobe
II-Optic nerve; origin: thalamus
III-Ophthalmic nerve; origin: midbrain
IV-Trochlear nerve; origin: midbrain
V-Trigeminal nerve; origin: pons
VI-Abducens nerve; origin: pons
VII-Facial nerve; origin: pons
VIII-Vestibulocochlear nerve; origin: pons
IX-Glossopharyngeal nerve; origin: medulla
X-Vagus nerve; origin: medulla
XI-Spinal Accessory nerve; origin: medulla
XII-Hypoglossal nerve; origin: medulla
The nerves to originate in the pons are V, VI, VII, and VIII (the trigeminal, abducens, facial, and vestibulocochlear nerves).
Example Question #1 : Help With Other Cranial Nerve Physiology
Which cranial nerves carry parasympathetic fibers?
Select the most complete list.
Facial, vagus, hypoglossal
Trigeminal, facial, glossopharyngeal, vagus
Optic, trigeminal, facial, vagus
Ophthalmic, glossopharyngeal, vagus, hypoglossal
Trigeminal, facial, vagus
Trigeminal, facial, glossopharyngeal, vagus
The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for the "rest and digest" mechanism. When the body is at rest the following occurs: pupils constrict (ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve), lacrimation and salivation occur (facial nerve and glossopharyngeal nerve), heart rate decreases, respiration rate decreases, and digestion increases (vagus nerve).
In addition to the cranial nerves, sacral nerves 2-4 (pelvic splanchnic nerves) carry parasympathic fibers that control erections, the bladder, and the bowels.
Example Question #1 : Help With Other Cranial Nerve Physiology
What cranial nerve is responsible for the sensation of taste on the anterior two-thirds of the tongue?
CN IX
CN V
CN VII
CN XII
CN VII
The facial nerve (CN VII) is responsible for the sensation of taste on the anterior two-thirds of the tongue. CN IX, the glossopharyngeal nerve, is responsible for posterior sensation. CN V, the trigeminal nerve, is also involved in certain sensations throughout the tongue.
Example Question #2 : Help With Other Cranial Nerve Physiology
Which of the following cranial nerves (CN) is correctly matched to the cranial nerve name?
CN V - hypoglossal nerve
CN VII - facial nerve
CN I - optic nerve
CN XII - glossopharyngeal nerve
CN VI - accessory nerve
CN VII - facial nerve
There are twelve cranial nerves. They are given in order below, with their associated functional classes.
CN I - olfactory nerve - sensory
CN II - optic nerve - sensory
CN III - occulomotor nerve - motor
CN IV - trochlear nerve - motor
CN V - trigeminal nerve - both sensory and motor
CN VI - abducens nerve - motor
CN VII - facial nerve - both sensory and motor
CN VIII - vestibulocochlear nerve - sensory
CN IX - glossopharyngeal nerve - both sensory and motor
CN X - vagus nerve - both sensory and motor
CN XI - accessory nerve - motor
CN XII - hypoglossal nerve - motor
Example Question #24 : Cranial Nerves
What cranial nerves are responsible for parasympathetic (visceral) reactions of the body?
3, 7, and 10
All of them
9 and 10
3, 7, 9, and 10
3 and 10
3, 7, 9, and 10
Cranial nerves 3, 7, 9, and 10 are all responsible for parasympathetic nuclei of the brainstem. Oculomotor CN 3 contains the Edinger-Westphal nucleus which controls the eye smooth muscles (which if damaged would result in a dilated pupil that would not constrict in bright light). Facial CN 7 controls the superior salivatory nucleus which controls the submandibular, sublingual, and lacrimal gland secretion. Glossopharyngeal CN 9 innervates the parotid gland secretions. The vagus CN 10 innervates the heart and lungs down into the chest cavity. Helpful hint** - Students often confuse the superior and inferior salivatory nuclei, remember that on the brainstem the facial nerve exits superior to the glossopharyngeal nerve and thus how it is properly named for their nuclei.
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