1
2
This lab activity is aligned with Visible
Body’s Human Anatomy Atlas app.
Learn more at visiblebody.com/professors
We've split our Cranial Nerves lab activity into two parts.
Part 1 is pre-lab exercises as well as exercises that incorporate
cranial nerves I-VI. Part 2 includes exercises covering cranial
nerves VII-XII as well as post-lab exercises.
3
F. Identification of the Facial Nerves (VII)
1. Select the facial nerves and select Fade Others. Observe their location, and read their description.
2. These nerves are sensory/motor/mixed (circle one).
3. The motor fibers of this nerve emerge from which brain region?
a. How many branches are produced by the motor portion?
b. What are the functions of the motor fibers of the facial nerve?
Mandibular branch
Temporal branch
Buccal branch
Zygomatic branch
Cervical branch
4
c. Identify these motor branches and describe the regions they innervate:
i. Temporal branch of the facial nerve -
ii. Zygomatic branch of the facial nerve -
iii. Buccal branch of the facial nerve -
iv. Marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve -
v. Cervical branch of the facial nerve -
4. What are the functions of the sensory fibers of the facial nerve?
a. To which regions of the brain and brain stem do these sensory fibers relay input?
b. Identify the geniculate ganglion and describe its significance.
5. Based on your learning, how do you think damage to this nerve would present clinically?
6. Click on the pathology icon and write out the symptoms of Bell’s Palsy:
7. What types of tests would you devise to test the function of this nerve in patients?
5
G. Identification of the Vestibulocochlear Nerves (VIII)
Pons
Medulla oblongata
CN 08 (VIII) Vestibulocochlear
Temporal bone
Internal auditory
meatus
6
1. Select the vestibulocochlear nerves and select Fade Others. Observe their location and read their
description.
2. These nerves are sensory/motor/mixed (circle one).
3. The cochlear branches of the vestibulocochlear nerves transmit signals for the sense of
_______________________. The cochlear sensory cell bodies are found in the ___________________________ and
their fibers emerge from the organ of ____________________ in the _____________________.
4. The vestibular branches of the vestibulocochlear nerves transmit signals for
_______________________. The vestibular sensory cell bodies are found in the ___________________________.
5. The cochlear and vestibular nerves pass through the ________________________________ in the
_____________________ bone.
Vestibulocochlear Nerves (VIII)
Lateral
semicircular
canal
CN 07 (VII)
Facial
Cochlea
CN 08 (VIII)
Vestibulocochlear
Posterior semicircular canal
Superior semicircular canal
Vestibule
7
6. In the search bar, search for “inner ear. Identify the following in the app, and on a model or
specimen if provided:
a. Cochlea
b. Vestibule
c. Superior semicircular canal
d. Posterior semicircular canal
e. Lateral semicircular canal
f. CN 07 (VII) Facial nerve
g. CN 08 (VIII) Vestibulocochlear nerve
7. From the view generated above, click on the vestibule and answer the following questions from its
description:
a. Each of the semicircular canals has an expansion at one end called an ________________________,
which contains extracellular fluid known as ________________________, and a small elevation, the
_______________________, with a cluster of hair cells.
b. As the head rotates or moves, the movement of ______________________ in the
__________________________ causes the _____________________________ to bend, which generates
______________________________.
8. Based on your learning, how do you think damage to this nerve would present clinically?
9. What types of tests would you devise to test the function of this nerve in patients?
8
H. Identification of the Glossopharyngeal Nerves (IX)
1. Return to the view of the cranial nerves under Nervous System Views. Hide the temporal, sphenoid,
and frontal bones along with the cerebellum as before. Then select the glossopharyngeal nerves and
select Fade Others. Observe their location and read their description.
2. These nerves are sensory/motor/mixed (circle one).
3. Where do fibers of this nerve originate?
4. The fibers exit the skull through which opening? (Tip: Select the occipital bone and fade it to make
these foramina more visible.)
5. The motor fibers arise from nuclei in the ______________________.
CN 09 (IX) Glossopharyngeal
9
a. These motor fibers innervate the ____________________________ muscle. What is the action of this
muscle?
b. The motor fibers of this nerve also innervate the parotid gland to stimulate secretion of
____________________________.
6. Read the description of the sensory axons of the glossopharyngeal nerve, and answer the following
questions:
a. What is the location and function of those on the tongue?
b. What is the function of the proprioceptors of swallowing muscles?
c. What is the function of baroreceptors in the carotid sinus? Be sure to identify the location
of these sinuses.
d. What is the function of chemoreceptors in the carotid body? Be sure to identify the
location of these carotid bodies.
e. Cell bodies of the sensory fibers are found in which two ganglia?
f. Which region of the cerebral cortex will receive sensory input from this cranial nerve?
7. Based on your learning, how do you think damage to this nerve would present clinically?
8. What types of tests would you devise to test the function of this nerve in patients?
10
I. Identification of the Vagus Nerves (X)
1. Select the vagus nerves and select Fade Others. Observe the location of the nerves in the
mediastinum.
2. These nerves are sensory/motor/mixed (circle one).
3. Where do fibers of these nerves originate?
Superior cervical (vagal) cardiac branch
Inferior ganglion
Superior ganglion
Superior laryngeal branch
Pharyngeal branch
11
4. The fibers exit the skull through which opening? (Tip: Select the occipital bone and fade it to make
these foramina more visible.)
5. Return to Nervous System Views and select 7. Vagus Nerve (X). Identify the following structures and
note their significance. (Tip: It will be easier to see these regions if you hide the circulatory system
initially.)
a. Superior and inferior ganglia -
b. Pharyngeal branch of the vagus nerve -
c. Superior laryngeal branch of the vagus nerve -
d. Superior cervical (vagal) cardiac branch of the vagus nerve -
6. Read back through each description of the vagus nerve and make a list of all the organs and tissues
innervated by the nerve.
7. Based on your learning, how do you think damage to this nerve would present clinically?
8. Why do you think that damage to both vagus nerves is often fatal?
9. What types of tests would you devise to test the function of this nerve in patients?
12
J. Identification of the Accessory Nerves (XI)
1. Return to the view of the cranial nerves. Hide the temporal, sphenoid, and frontal bones along with
the cerebellum as before. Then select the accessory nerves and select Fade Others. Observe their
location and read their description..
2. These nerves are sensory/motor/mixed (circle one).
Sternocleidomastoid
Trapezius
13
3. Trace the nerves from their origin to their site of termination.
a. Read the description of the accessory nerves. What is the origin of these nerves?
b. Why do you think these nerves are often referred to as spinal accessory nerves?
c. Through which foramen do they enter the cranium?
d. Through which cranial foramina do they exit?
e. Why do you think they are classified as cranial nerves?
4. Use the search bar to identify these target muscles and their actions:
a. Sternocleidomastoid muscles
b. Trapezius muscles
5. Based on your learning, how do you think damage to this nerve would present clinically?
6. What types of tests would you devise to test the function of this nerve in patients?
14
K. Identification of the Hypoglossal Nerves (XII)
1. Select the hypoglossal nerves and select Fade Others. Observe their location.
2. These nerves are sensory/motor/mixed (circle one).
3. Where do fibers of these nerves originate?
4. The fibers exit the skull through which opening? (Tip: Select the occipital bone and fade it to make
these foramina more visible.)
CN 12 (XII) Hypoglossal
15
5. Which muscles do these nerves innervate?
6. What actions do they initiate for these muscles?
7. Based on your learning, how do you think damage to this nerve would present clinically?
8. What types of tests would you devise to test the function of this nerve in patients?
16
MAKING CONNECTIONS:
A. Look back through the activity to help you name each of the following cranial nerves in numerical
order:
1. Cranial nerve 01 (I) -
2. Cranial nerve 02 (II) -
3. Cranial nerve 03 (III) -
4. Cranial nerve 04 (IV) -
5. Cranial nerve 05 (V) -
6. Cranial nerve 06 (VI) -
7. Cranial nerve 07 (VII) -
8. Cranial nerve 08 (VIII) -
9. Cranial nerve 09 (IX) -
10. Cranial nerve 10 (X) -
11. Cranial nerve 11 (XI) -
12. Cranial nerve 12 (XII) -
B. Quiz yourself on cranial nerve identification! Go to the cranial nerves quiz in the nervous system
section of the quizzes menu.
C. Look back through the activity to review the functional classification of the cranial nerves. Be
sure to identify them both by name and by Roman numeral for practice.
1. Which three cranial nerves are designated as purely sensory?
2. Which five cranial nerves are designated as purely motor?
3. Which four cranial nerves are designated as mixed?
17
D. Look back through the exercise and make a list of all the cranial nerves that emerge from the
midbrain:
E. Look back through the exercise and make a list of all the cranial nerves that emerge from the
medulla and pons:
F. Assume you have just entered your favorite restaurant and are sitting down to eat a delicious
meal:
1. Which nerve is solely responsible for the sense of sight as you see your waiter carrying your food to
the table?
2. Which nerves are responsible for motor control of the extraocular muscles as you glance back and
forth at the food on your plate?
3. Which nerve is responsible for turning your head side to side to see what your friends have ordered?
4. Which nerve is responsible for accommodation of the lens and constriction of the pupil to enable
close vision of this delicious meal?
5. Which nerve is responsible for your sense of smell as the delicious aromas rise from the plate?
6. Which cranial nerves stimulate the production of saliva from salivary glands as you anticipate your
meal?
18
7.
Which cranial nerve is associated with motor control of the muscles of chewing as you take the first
bite?
8. Which nerves would help you interpret the temperature of food in your mouth as hot or cold?
9. Which nerve is responsible for your sense of hearing as you hear the crunching of food in your
mouth?
10. Which three cranial nerves transmit impulses from taste receptors to the brain stem as you chew
your food?
11. Which cranial nerves regulate muscles of the tongue, mouth, and throat to facilitate swallowing?
12. Which cranial nerve has parasympathetic fibers to control digestive activities of the stomach, liver,
pancreas, and intestines?
13. After you finish this meal and decide to lie down for a short nap, which cranial nerve monitors your
change in equilibrium?
19
20
Facial Nerves (VII)
21
G. Identification of the Vestibulocochlear Nerves (VIII)
22
Vestibulocochlear Nerves (VIII)
23
Glossopharyngeal Nerves (IX)
24
Vagus Nerves (X)
25
Accessory Nerves (XI)
26
Hypoglossal Nerves (XII)