This document provides information about the 12 cranial nerves, including their nuclei, branches, and areas of distribution. It lists the nucleus, exit point from the brainstem, branches or divisions, and areas supplied for each nerve. The cranial nerves are the oculomotor, trochlear, trigeminal, abducent, facial, vestibulocochlear, glossopharyngeal, vagus, spinal accessory, and hypoglossal nerves. The document was prepared by AbdulRahman AlTokhy and reviewed by Dr. Ahmed.

1. Identifications Mention
Cranial Nerves
Nucleus Branches
Supplying Attachment
Prepared By AbdulRahman AlTokhy Reviewed By Dr. Ahmed
CRANIAL NERVES

2. Cranial Nerve
Nucleus
- Deep origin –
M = Motor| P = Parasym. | S = Sensory| T = Taste
Exit from Brainstem
- Attachment -
Branches / Divisions Area of Distribution
- Supplying -
Oculomotor
(III)
- Motor Nucleus (M)
- Edinger Westphal Nucleus (P)
Midbrain
from interpeduncular
fossa.
- Superior division.
- Inferior division.
All Extra-ocular Muscles EXCEPT
Superior oblique & Lateral rectus Ms.
Trochlear
(IV)
- Motor Nucleus (M)
Midbrain
Dorsally,
below inferior
colliculus.
- Superior oblique (SO).
Trigeminal
(V)
- Motor Nucleus. (M)
- Main Sensory Nucleus (S)
- Spinal Nucleus Of Trigeminal(S)
- Mesencephalic Nucleus (S)
Pons
Ventral surface.
V1-Ophthalmic division.
- Lacrimal N.
- Frontal N.
- Nasociliary N.
Sensory to:
Lacrimal gland, upper eyelid,
Skin of forehead, &
Sensory branch to ciliary gangilion.
V2-Maxillary division.
- Cranial branches.
- Pterygopalatine fossa branches.
- Infra-orbital branches.
Sensory to:
Meninges,
Upper teeth, molars
Lower eyelid, Nose & Upper lip.
V3- Mandibular division.
- Motor branches.
- Auriculo-temporal N.
- Lingual N.
- Inferior alveolar N.
Temporalis, masseter, medial & lateral
ptyrgoid Ms.
General sensation of Ant. 2⁄3 of tongue
Sensation to Lower teeth.
Abducent
(VI)
- Motor Nucleus (M)
Pons
Medial part of lower
border between it &
Pyramid of Medulla
Oblongata.
- Lateral rectus (LR).

3. Facial
(VII)
- Motor Nucleus(M)
- Parasympathetic Nuclei(P)
- Nucleus Solitarius (T)
- Spinal Nucleus Of Trigeminal(S)
Pons
Cerebello-pontine
angle
Intracranial branches:
- Greater petrosal N.
- Nerve to stapedius.
- Chorda tympani.
Submandibular, Sublingual,
Lacrimal, Palate, Pharynx & Nose
glands.
Stapedius M.
Taste sensation of Ant. 2⁄3 of
tongue.
Extracranial branches:
- Temporal branch.
- Zygomatic branch.
- Buccal branch.
- Marginal mandibular branch.
- Cervical branches.
Face & scalp Ms.
Platysma M.
Posterior belly of digastric M.
Stylohyoid M.
Vestibulocochlear
(VIII)
- 4 Vestibular nuclei (S)
- 2 Cochlear nuclei (S)
Pons
Cerebello-pontine
angle
- Vestibular division.
- Cochlear division.
Sensory to Inner ear (hearing) &
Vestibular apparatus (balance).
Glossopharyngeal
(IX)
- Nucleus Ambiguous(M)
- Inferior Salivatory Nucleus(P)
- Nucleus Solitarius (T)
- Spinal Nucleus Of Trigeminal(S)
Medulla
oblongata
At posterolateral
sulcus
- Tympanic branch. Share in tympanic plexus.
- Meningeal branch. Sensory to Meninges.
- Lingual branch.
General & Taste sensations of
Post. 1⁄3 of tongue.
- Pharyngeal branch. Oropharynx sensation.
- Muscular branch. Stylopharyngeus M.
- Tonsillar branch. Palatine tonsil.
- Carotid branch. Carotid sinus & body.

4. Vagus
(X)
- Nucleus Ambiguous(M)
- Dorsal vagal nucleus(P)
- Nucleus Solitarius (T)
- Spinal Nucleus of Trigeminal(S)
Medulla
oblongata
At posterolateral
sulcus
Sup. Vagal Ganglion:
- Meningeal N.
- Auricular N.
Sensory to Meninges,
& ear structures.
Inf. Vagal Ganglion:
- Pharyngeal N.
- Superior laryngeal N.
- Carotid N.
Muscles of palate , pharynx & larynx
(Except Stylopharyngeus & Tensor Palatine),
Most post. taste sensation,
Cricothyroid M., carotid sinus & body.
Neck & thorax branches:
- Cardiac N.s
- Rt & Lt recurrent laryngeal N.
- Pulmonary, Cardiac &
Esophageal branches.
Smooth muscles of thorax & abdomen .
Sensation from viscera .
Accessory
(XI)
- Nucleus Ambiguous(M)
- Spinal Accessory Nucleus(M)
Medulla
oblongata
At posterolateral
sulcus
Cranial Part.
Muscles of palate , pharynx & larynx.
(Except Stylopharyngeus & Tensor Palatine)
Spinal Part. Supplies Sternomastoid & Trapezius Ms.
Hypoglossal
(XII)
- Motor Nucleus(M)
Medulla
oblongata
At anterolateral
sulcus.
1st group fibers.
- C1 Fibers -
Meninges, Thyrohyoid & Geniohyoid Ms
& form upper root of Ansa cervicalis.
2nd group fibers.
- Hypoglossal Fibers -
Styloglossus, Hyoglossus & Genioglossus Ms.
All intrinsic Muscles.
All tongue Muscles except Palatoglossus
supplied by Vagaus .

5. XI - Spinal Accessory N.
Attached to Trapezius M.

6. Lingual N.
Branch from Mandibular N.
X - Vagus N.
Parallel to Carotid A.
XII - Hypoglossal N.
Crosses Int. & Ext. Carotid A.
Inferior alveolar N
Branch from Mandibular N.

7. Ophthalmic division.
V – Trigeminal N.
Maxillary division.
Mandibular division.
Lingual N.
Inferior alveolar N
XI - Spinal Accessory N.
VII – Facial N.
X – Vagus N.

8. X - Vagus
XII- Hypoglossal
XI - Accessory
IX - Glossopharyngeal
VII - Facial
VIII - Vestibulocochlear
VI - Abducent
V - Trigeminal
III - Oculomotor
II - Optic
Ventral Surface

9. Dorsal Surface
IV - Trochlear