Brain Structures Flashcards: Cranial Nerves

Toward the base of the brain, there are 12 pairs of nerves known as the cranial nerves.

These nerve pairs serve a range of functions: transmitting sensory information, controlling face, head, and neck muscle movements, and relaying information to internal organs to regulate functions like blood pressure and heart rate.

Get to know the brain’s 12 cranial nerves using the 3D Brain. Then, review your knowledge of them with these flashcards, and test yourself by choosing a study mode below.

To shuffle the deck, click the "Shuffle" button behind the reCAPTCHA notice on the bottom right of the interactive.

About the Author

Ailie McWhinnie

Ailie is a PhD student in neuroscience at the University of Cambridge and a science writer with a particular interest in the intersection of life sciences with history, philosophy and society. Ailie was previously the Public Communications Intern at BrainFacts (Summer/Fall 2024) and editor-in-chief of EUSci and Women in Neuroscience UK.