Ⅰ--Ⅵ Pairs of Cranial Nerves.pptVIP

No. 32 Ⅰ--Ⅵ Pairs of Cranial Nerves Section 2 The Cranial Nerves 12 pairs of cranial nerves arise from the brain. They leave or enter the cranial cavity through a series of foramina or fissures in the base of the skull. Fibrous components of the cranial nerves: The cranial nerves consist of seven fibrous components. ①The general somatic motor fibers These fibers supply the striated muscles from the myotome, e.g. the extrinsic muscles of the eye and the muscles of tongue. ②The general visceral motor fibers They belong to the parasympathetic nervous system. Their cell bodies are located in certain nuclei of the brain stem and are small in size. All these fibers end in a certain parasympathetic ganglion near the visceral effectors and control the smooth muscle, cardiac muscle and glands. ③The special visceral motor fibers These fibers supply the striated muscles from the branchiomere, e.g. the muscles of expression, mastication, pharynx and larynx. ④The general visceral sensory fibers They conduct the general sensory impulses which originate from the viscera in the head, neck, thorax and abdomen. ⑤The special visceral sensory fibers They distribute taste buds and olfactory organs. ⑥The general somatic sensory fibers They transmit the impulses which originate from the skin, muscle, muscular tendon, and most part of oral and nasal mucous membrane. ⑦The special somatic sensory fibers These fibers distribute the vestibulocochlear and visual organs. Most of the cranial nerves are mixed nerves composed of both motor and sensory neurons, although some cranial nerves carry only sensory impulses. With the exception of the vagus nerve, the cranial nerves supply only structures in the head and neck. The cranial nerves are numbered (using Roman numerals) from superior to inferior in the order in which they leave the brain (Table 1). Table 1 The Origins and passages of the Cranial Nerves According to the components and functions the twelve pairs of cranial nerv