Cranial Nerves

Start learning the names, CN numbers, foramina and pathways, fiber types and general responsibilities now. Add details with each new lesson plan.

• Quickly learn the basics of simple cranial nerves (e.g. CN I, II, IV, VI, VIII, XI, XII) so you can spend more time on the more complex cranial nerves (e.g. III, V, VII, IX, X)

  • You can learn more complex nerves in bite-sized pieces.

• Revisit the CN Overview and Autonomics of the Head over the course of the unit. You will pick up something new each time.

• Know the specific kinds of nerve fibers composing each cranial nerve and the foramina/landmarks associated with each cranial nerve and its branches.

  • What are the nerves or structures that pass through each foramen or travel near landmarks?

• What are the general targets or responsibilities of the nerves?

  • Add in details about specific branches and their targets.

  • Be able to link functions and sensory territories with foramina.

• Most autonomic nerves in the head hitchhike on branches of the Trigeminal nerve (CN V). You can use the Trigeminal nerve branches and pathways to help organize the autonomic pathways and targets.

• Learn this information while working in tandem with your skull (and dissection images when available). This will help you see the pathways as tangible and facilitate making 3D spatial relationships.

• Take note where the cranial nerves span multiple lesson plans

Sketch or talk through the cranial nerves repeatedly:

• • understand the nerve fibers in each nerve, the foramina, branches, and targets.

• If sketching helps you learn, you can use the cranial nerve schematics in the CN Overview to refer to while learning to sketch each cranial nerve

• Some people prefer creating a cranial nerve table to sketching – use whatever method works best for you.

• Add details as you encounter them in each lesson plan

• Add donor images in this practice

• Integrate your skull to make the pathways tangible