Cranial nerves
Dr Jeremy Jones and Dr Frank Gaillard et al.
The cranial nerve are the 12 paired sets of nerves that arise from the brain or brainstem and leave the central nervous system through cranial foraminae rather than through the spine.
Midbrain
The first four of the cranial nerves originate from the midbrain.
Pons
The middle four cranial nerves originate from the pons.
- trigeminal nerve (CN V)
- abducens nerve (CN VI)
- facial nerve (CN VII)
- vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII)
Medulla oblongata
The final four cranial nerves originate from the medulla oblongata.
- glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)
- vagus nerve (CN X)
- accessory nerve (CN XI)
- hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)
In adults, all brainstem nuclei are located within the tegmentum, the posterior section of the brainstem (except in the midbrain where the quadrigeminal plate is most posterior).
Related articles
- cranial nerves: main article - mnemonic
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