The Glossopharyngeal and Vagus Nerves
The Glossopharyngeal and Vagus Nerves The glossopharyngeal (CN IX) and vagus (CN X) nerves are intimately related and similar in function. Both have motor and autonomic branches with nuclei of…
The Acoustic (Vestibulocochlear) Nerve
The Acoustic (Vestibulocochlear) Nerve The vestibulocochlear, acoustic, or eighth cranial nerve (CN VIII) has two components, the vestibular and the cochlear, blended into a single trunk. The cochlear portion subserves…
The Facial Nerve
The Facial Nerve The facial, or seventh, cranial nerve (CN VII) has two components: the motor root, which makes up about 70% of the fibers, and the sensory root, which…
The Trigeminal Nerve
The Trigeminal Nerve The trigeminal, or fifth cranial, nerve (CN V) has a large sensory part that innervates the face, teeth, oral and nasal cavities, the scalp back to the…
The Ocular Motor Nerves
The Ocular Motor Nerves The oculomotor, or third cranial nerve (CN III) arises from the oculomotor nuclear complex in the midbrain and conveys motor fibers to extraocular muscles, plus parasympathetic…
The Optic Nerve
The Optic Nerve Optic nerve function is tested by examining the various modalities of vision: the visual acuity, the visual fields (VFs), and special components of vision, such as color…
The Olfactory Nerve
The Olfactory Nerve The olfactory nerve is a sensory nerve with but one function, smell. Only volatile substances soluble in lipids or water are perceived as odors. In true anosmia…
Agnosia, Apraxia, and Related Disorders of Higher Cortical Function
Agnosia, Apraxia, and Related Disorders of Higher Cortical Function Gnosia (Gr. gnosis, knowledge) refers to the higher synthesis of sensory impulses, with resulting perception, appreciation, and recognition of stimuli. Agnosia…
Disorders of Speech and Language
Disorders of Speech and Language Phonation, strictly defined, is the production of vocal sounds without word formation; it is entirely a function of the larynx. Howls of rage, the squeals…
The Mental Status Examination
The Mental Status Examination The mental status examination is used to help determine if a patient has neurologic as opposed to psychiatric disease, to identify psychiatric disease which might be…
