Basic Neuroscience · Neuroanatomy
Cranial Nerve Nuclei
Cranial nerve nuclei organized by nerve, with each fiber type's origin, relay (ganglion / nucleus), and function.
| Fibers | Origin | Relay | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optic (CN II) | |||
| Special sensory | — | LGB | Relay for the visual pathway |
| — | Superior colliculus | Reflex saccades | |
| — | Pretectal nucleus | Light reflex | |
| — | Suprachiasmatic | Circadian rhythm | |
| Oculomotor (CN III) | |||
| Motor | 3rd nerve nucleus — central caudal, SR sub-nucleus (superior division); medial complex, IR & IO sub-nuclei (inferior division) | — | All extraocular muscles except LR and SO. Central caudal = single midline nucleus → both levators; remaining sub-nuclei paired |
| Parasympathetic | Edinger–Westphal | Ciliary ganglion | Sphincter pupillae and ciliary muscles |
| Trigeminal (CN V) | |||
| Motor | Motor nucleus | — | Muscles of mastication, tensor tympani, tensor palati, anterior belly of digastric, mylohyoid |
| Sensory | Spinal nucleus; main sensory nucleus (MSN); mesencephalic nucleus | Gasserian ganglion | Sensation from the face; dura within the cranial vault (via the ophthalmic division) |
| Facial (CN VII) | |||
| Motor | Facial motor nucleus | — | Facial expression muscles, platysma, posterior belly of digastric, stylohyoid, stapedius (PPSS) |
| Parasympathetic | Superior salivary nucleus | GSP → pterygopalatine; chorda tympani → submandibular | Lacrimal gland; submandibular & sublingual glands |
| Taste | Solitary nucleus | Geniculate ganglion | Anterior 2/3 of tongue |
| Glossopharyngeal (CN IX) | |||
| Motor | Nucleus ambiguus | — | Stylopharyngeus |
| Parasympathetic | Inferior salivary nucleus | Otic ganglion | Parotid gland |
| Somato-sensory | Spinal nucleus | Glossopharyngeal ganglion | Posterior third of tongue |
| Visceral-sensory | Solitary nucleus | Glossopharyngeal ganglion | Carotid sinus |
| Special-sensory | Solitary nucleus | Glossopharyngeal ganglion | Taste, posterior third of tongue |
| Vagus (CN X) | |||
| Motor | Nucleus ambiguus | — | Muscles of pharynx and larynx |
| Parasympathetic | Dorsal motor nucleus | — | Heart, lungs and digestive tract |
| Somato-sensory | Spinal nucleus | Superior ganglion | Outer ear, dura of the posterior cranial fossa, mucosa of the larynx |
| Visceral-sensory | Solitary nucleus | Inferior ganglion | Thoracic and abdominal viscera; aortic body chemoreceptors |
| Special-sensory | Solitary nucleus | Inferior ganglion | Taste, epiglottis |
LIGHTS on RITE by Ahmed Koriesh