Cranial Nerves — Mnemonic + Functions

Mnemonic (sensory/motor/both): "Some Say Marry Money But My Brother Says Big Brains Matter More" CN Name Function I Olfactory Smell (S) II Optic Vision (S) III Oculomotor Eye movement, pupil constriction, accommodation (M) IV Trochlear SO4 — superior oblique (M) V Trigeminal Face sensation, mastication (B) VI Abducens LR6 — lateral rectus (M) VII Facial Face expression, anterior 2/3 taste, lacrimation (B) VIII Vestibulocochlear Hearing + balance (S) IX Glossopharyngeal Swallowing, posterior 1/3 taste, parotid (B) X Vagus Parasympathetic to thorax + abdomen, vocal cords (B) XI Accessory Sternocleidomastoid + trapezius (M) XII Hypoglossal Tongue movement (M) Mnemonic for "LR6 SO4 rest 3": Lateral rectus = CN VI · Superior oblique = CN IV · All other extraocular muscles = CN III