The cranial nerves are generally named for the area or function they serve and are identified with Roman numerals. I Olfactory Nerves conduct impulses from receptors in the nose to the brain and are sensory in function. II Optic Nerves conduct impulses from receptors in the eyes to thebrain and are sensory in function. III Oculomotor Nerves send motor impulses to four of the external eye muscles and to certain internal eye muscles. IV Trochlear Nerves send motor impulses to one external eye muscle of each eye.
Maxillary branches go to the upper jaw.
Mandibular branches go to the lower jaw. VI Abducens Nerves innervate the muscles that turn the eye to the side. VII Facial Nerves innervate the facial muscles, salivary glands, lacrimal glands, and the sensation of taste on the anterior two-thirds of the tongue. Vestibular branches are concerned with the sense of balance. IX Glossopharyngeal Nerves innervate the parotid glands and the sense of taste on the posterior third of the tongue and part of the pharynx.