Cranial nerves

Nerves that emerge directly from the brain

Cranial nerves are nerves that emerge directly from the brain, including the brainstem, in contrast to spinal nerves, which emerge from segments of the spinal cord. They relay information between the brain and various parts of the body, primarily to the head and neck regions and are responsible for special senses of vision, taste, smell, and hearing. The cranial nerves emerge from the central nervous system above the level of the first vertebra of the vertebral column.

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