Alright, let's test your knowledge of the cranial nerves!
Here are 20 multiple-choice questions for
you:
1. Which cranial nerve is responsible for the sense of smell? (a) Optic (II) (b) Oculomotor
(III) (c) Olfactory (I) (d) Trigeminal (V)
2. Damage to which cranial nerve can result in blindness? (a) Facial (VII) (b)
Vestibulocochlear (VIII) (c) Optic (II) (d) Glossopharyngeal (IX)
3. Which cranial nerve controls most of the muscles that move the eyeball? (a) Trochlear
(IV) (b) Abducens (VI) (c) Oculomotor (III) (d) Trigeminal (V)
4. The trigeminal nerve (V) has three major branches. Which of the following is NOT one of
them? (a) Ophthalmic (b) Maxillary (c) Mandibular (d) Cervical
5. Which cranial nerve is primarily responsible for facial expressions? (a) Trigeminal (V) (b)
Facial (VII) (c) Vagus (X) (d) Accessory (XI)
6. Loss of taste sensation on the anterior two-thirds of the tongue may indicate damage to
which cranial nerve? (a) Glossopharyngeal (IX) (b) Vagus (X) (c) Facial (VII) (d)
Hypoglossal (XII)
7. Which cranial nerve is responsible for hearing and balance? (a) Optic (II) (b)
Vestibulocochlear (VIII) (c) Abducens (VI) (d) Oculomotor (III)
8. Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) could be a sign of damage to which cranial nerve(s)? (a)
Olfactory (I) (b) Optic (II) (c) Glossopharyngeal (IX) and Vagus (X) (d) Facial (VII)
9. Which cranial nerve controls the muscles of the tongue? (a) Trigeminal (V) (b) Facial (VII)
(c) Hypoglossal (XII) (d) Accessory (XI)
10.The vagus nerve (X) has a wide range of functions and innervates many organs. Which of
the following is NOT a primary function of the vagus nerve? (a) Regulation of heart rate
(b) Control of digestive system motility (c) Innervation of facial muscles (d) Sensory
information from the viscera
11.Which cranial nerve is purely sensory? (a) Oculomotor (III) (b) Trochlear (IV) (c)
Abducens (VI) (d) Olfactory (I)
12.Which cranial nerve innervates the superior oblique muscle of the eye? (a) Oculomotor
(III) (b) Trochlear (IV) (c) Abducens (VI) (d) Optic (II)
13.Which cranial nerve innervates the lateral rectus muscle of the eye? (a) Oculomotor (III)
(b) Trochlear (IV) (c) Abducens (VI) (d) Vestibulocochlear (VIII)
14.The corneal reflex (blinking when the cornea is touched) involves which cranial nerve for
the sensory input? (a) Facial (VII) (b) Optic (II) (c) Trigeminal (V) (d) Glossopharyngeal
(IX)
15.The motor output for the corneal reflex (blinking) is controlled by which cranial nerve? (a)
Trigeminal (V) (b) Facial (VII) (c) Oculomotor (III) (d) Abducens (VI)
16.Which cranial nerve contributes to the gag reflex? (a) Facial (VII) (b) Optic (II) (c)
Glossopharyngeal (IX) (d) Hypoglossal (XII)
17.Which cranial nerve is formed by the union of cranial and spinal roots and innervates the
sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles? (a) Vagus (X) (b) Accessory (XI) (c)
Hypoglossal (XII) (d) Glossopharyngeal (IX)
18.Which cranial nerve passes through the jugular foramen? (a) Olfactory (I) (b) Optic (II) (c)
Vagus (X) (d) Facial (VII)
19.Which cranial nerve is associated with Bell's palsy, a condition causing facial muscle
weakness or paralysis? (a) Trigeminal (V) (b) Facial (VII) (c) Abducens (VI) (d)
Glossopharyngeal (IX)
20.Which cranial nerve carries parasympathetic fibers to the thoracic and abdominal viscera?
(a) Facial (VII) (b) Glossopharyngeal (IX) (c) Vagus (X) (d) Accessory (XI)
How did you do? Let me know if you'd like the answers!
