Number Name Function
I Olfactory Nerve Smell
II Optic Nerve Vision
III Oculomotor Nerve Eye movement; pupil dilation
IV Trochlear Nerve Eye movement
V Trigeminal Nerve Somatosensory information (touch, pain) from the face and head; muscles for chewing.
VI Abducens Nerve Eye movement
VII Facial Nerve Taste (anterior 2/3 of tongue); somatosensory information from ear; controls muscles used in facial expression.
VIII Vestibulocochlear Nerve Hearing; balance
IX Glossopharyngeal Nerve Taste (posterior 1/3 of tongue); Somatosensory information from tongue, tonsil, pharynx; controls some muscles used in swallowing.
X Vagus Nerve Sensory, motor and autonomic functions of viscera (glands, digestion, heart rate)
XI Spinal Accessory Nerve Controls muscles used in head movement.
XII Hypoglossal Nerve Controls muscles of tongue