The complexity of the nervous system is immense. Its multiple connections make this system one of the most important of our organism, in this article we will talk about several of its most important pathways: cranial nerves.
Cranial pairs or nerves emerge from the base of the skull and reach their target areas through the holes distributed there, so they communicate with the peripheral areas.
- Its name is due to the fact that there is a nerve on each side of the brain.
- So there are twelve nerves in the right hemisphere and twelve nerves in the left hemisphere.
Cranial nerves can be classified in different ways
According to Bear, Connors and Paradiso, authors of the book Neuroscience: Unraveling the Nervous System, the first two cranial nerves are part of the central nervous system and the others are like spinal nerves, since they contain axons in the peripheral nervous system. although each nerve has fibers that perform different functions.
Axon types: special sensory.
It is the shortest cranial nerve because its target area is near the area where it originates in the brain. It’s also called an olfactory nerve. In addition, as the other name suggests, it is responsible for transporting nerve information related to smell.
Axon types: special sensory
It comes from the diencephalus, like the previous one, has related fibers, that is, it carries the nerve impulses of the sensory organs to the central nervous system, its function is to transmit visual information.
Types of axons: somatic motors and visceral motors.
It is called in two other ways: common eye motor nerve or common eye motor. It is responsible for the movement of eyes and eyelids. In addition, parasympathetic control of pupil size governs.
Types of axons: somatic motors
The fourth pair comes from the cast. It is called a troclear nerve and a pathetic nerve and also supports eye movement. Specifically, it sends signals to the upper oblique muscle of the eye.
Types of axons: somatic sensory and somatic motors.
Known as a tri-twin nerve. It has motor and sensory functions, at the motor level it sends orders to the muscles responsible for chewing and at the sensory level collects tactile, painful and propioceptive information from the mouth and face.
Types of axons: somatic motors
This is called an abducent nerve. He is responsible for the movements of the abductors of the eye, that is, the one that causes the eye to move to the opposite side of the nose Incredible!
Types of axons: somatic sensory and somatic motors.
Also known as facial pair. It is responsible for the movements of facial expression muscles, in addition, for the sense of taste in the previous two-thirds of language, it also sends orders to the tear and salivary glands.
Axon types: special sensory
It’s the vestibulococlear nerve. Take care of your sense of hearing and balance, so you get information about what we’re hearing and where we are.
Types of axons: somatic motors, visceral motors, special sensory and visceral motors.
Called a glosopharyngeal nerve. It is a mixed nerve, and from its name you can deduce some of its functions, we will see what they are:
Axon types: visceral motors
This is called the vagus nerve. It is responsible for the parasympathetic control of the heart, lungs and abdominal organs, as well as the sensation of visceral pain, the movement of the muscles of the throat and receives information about taste.
Types of axons: somatic motors.
This is called an accessory spinal nerve. It deals with the movements of the muscles of the throat and neck.
Types of axons: somatic motors
Called hypoglyse. Take part in the action of swallowing. In addition, he is responsible for the movement of the tongue, in collaboration with nerves nine and ten. Thanks to this torque, swallowing is done optimally.
Any damage to the cranial nerves can be a problem for our survival or for the functioning of our body, especially neurological disorders can be identified.
We hope that thanks to this trip it has been possible to know this essential part of our body better.