🧠 Cranial Nerves Made Simple: A Student’s Guide

 As a physiotherapy student, you’re expected to know all 12 cranial nerves — their names, numbers, functions, types (sensory, motor, or both), and clinical importance. But memorizing them can be tough without the right approach.

In this guide, you’ll learn:
✅ The list of cranial nerves
✅ A super-easy mnemonic
✅ How to remember their function and type
✅ Quick clinical significance

Let’s break it down.

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📚 1. The 12 Cranial Nerves (In Order)

No.	Name	Type
I	Olfactory	Sensory
II	Optic	Sensory
III	Oculomotor	Motor
IV	Trochlear	Motor
V	Trigeminal	Both
VI	Abducens	Motor
VII	Facial	Both
VIII	Vestibulocochlear (Auditory)	Sensory
IX	Glossopharyngeal	Both
X	Vagus	Both
XI	Accessory (Spinal)	Motor
XII	Hypoglossal	Motor

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🧠 2. Mnemonic to Remember the Names

🎯 Clean & Classroom-Friendly Mnemonic:
"Oh, Oh, Oh, To Touch And Feel Very Green Vegetables, AH!"

• Oh – Olfactory

• Oh – Optic

• Oh – Oculomotor

• To – Trochlear

• Touch – Trigeminal

• And – Abducens

• Feel – Facial

• Very – Vestibulocochlear

• Green – Glossopharyngeal

• Vegetables – Vagus

• Ah – Accessory

• H! – Hypoglossal

🔁 Repeat this aloud a few times—it’ll stick!

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🔎 3. Mnemonic for Nerve Type (Sensory, Motor, Both)

🎯 Mnemonic:
"Some Say Money Matters But My Brother Says Big Brains Matter More"

This tells you the type in order:

• S – Sensory (I – Olfactory)

• S – Sensory (II – Optic)

• M – Motor (III – Oculomotor)

• M – Motor (IV – Trochlear)

• B – Both (V – Trigeminal)

• M – Motor (VI – Abducens)

• B – Both (VII – Facial)

• S – Sensory (VIII – Vestibulocochlear)

• B – Both (IX – Glossopharyngeal)

• B – Both (X – Vagus)

• M – Motor (XI – Accessory)

• M – Motor (XII – Hypoglossal)

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🩺 4. Clinical Relevance (In a Nutshell)

Nerve	Test / Clinical Use
I - Olfactory	Smell test
II - Optic	Vision, visual field
III, IV, VI	Eye movements
V - Trigeminal	Facial sensation, jaw movement
VII - Facial	Facial expressions, taste (anterior 2/3 tongue)
VIII - Vestibulocochlear	Hearing and balance
IX, X	Gag reflex, swallowing, voice
XI - Accessory	Shoulder shrug, head turn
XII - Hypoglossal	Tongue movements

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✨ Pro Tip for Practicals & Viva

• Use real-life movements to explain each nerve.
  Example: Ask your friend to smile = Facial nerve (VII)

• Demonstrate basic tests during viva (e.g., close eyes, smile, clench jaw).

• Always mention both sensory and motor functions where applicable.

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