Cranial Nerves Research Paper

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Cranial Nerves The cranial nerves are consists of 12 intricate nerves and their functions control the entire body. The cranial nerves are divided into many important nerves such as; the olfactory, optic, oculomotor, trochlear, trigeminal, abducal, facial vestibulochlear, glossopharyngeal, and hypoglossal nerves, and each one are vital to the response of our entire body. Physical assessments are divided by areas in which each evaluation have an important significance in an accurate evaluation of the patients. The neurological examination consists in the estimation of mental status, capability of reflexes, smells etc. Although, in the medical practice laboratory testing and …show more content…

The Olfactory nerve: supplies the inside of the nose and transmits signals from olfactory Cells, the optic nerve supplies the retina and also transmit signals from the photoreceptors, those perceived as vision, the oculomotor controls the movements of the eyelid and the eyes. Regulation of the closing of the pupils and the focus of the lens. Trochlear nerve is in charge of the movement of the eyeballs. Trigeminal nerves transits sensory information of the eye , teeth and skin of the face. Controls the muscles of the cheeks and jaw, (mastication). Abducens nerves regulates the eye gaze directions. Facial nerves controls de facial expressions and stimulates the salivary and lacrimal glands. Vestibulochlear nerve transmit signals to the inner ear which are perceived as sounds and maintain the balance. Glossopharyngeal nerve controls the salivary glands and transmits sensory signals from the tongue and pharynx. The hypoglossal nerve is responsible for the movement of the tongue. Vagus nerve is the only nerve that regulates the circulatory and digestive system. Accessory nerve controls the …show more content…

Moreover, the effectiveness of the physical assessment contain five steps; mental status, assessment of the cranial nerves, reflex test ,motor and sensory assessment. First, gather all the past and present medical history of the patient to obtain the alertness and orientation of the patient. History of stroke, seizures, phobias, mental disorders or other neurological problems may affect the efficacy of the test. If family members are present, information can be obtain from them. Assessing the olfactory nerve the patients may close their eyes obstructing one of the nares and use different but common types of substances so the patient can identify, use a different substance for each side. If the patient loss the sense of smell on each side it may be an indication of a lesion on a frontal lobe, but sense of smell can decreases with age. To check visual perception the optic nerve, a patient can read a magazine or a newspaper to determined unilateral blindness. Follow the oculomotor nerve assessment were the pupil size dilate and light reflexes can be obtain. Placing a light close to the eyes and observed the pupils

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