There are 12 pairs of cranial nerves that have various motor, sensory, and mixed functions. The document describes each cranial nerve's origin, distribution, and function. It details that the cranial nerves include the olfactory, optic, oculomotor, trochlear, trigeminal, abducens, facial, vestibulocochlear, glossopharyngeal, vagus, accessory, and hypoglossal nerves. Each nerve has a specific nucleus of origin in the brainstem and supplies structures of the head and neck.