They are essentially the same functionally and anatomically as the dorsal root ganglia which are associated with the spinal cord. Examples of sensory organs are pressure or pain sensors in the skin and more specialized ones such as taste receptors of the tongue. Electrical impulses are transmitted from the sensory organ through the ganglia and into the brain via the sensory branch that enter the brain. There are two exceptions to this rule that should be noted when the special senses of smell and vision are discussed. In summary, the motor components of cranial nerves transmit nerve impulses from the brain to target tissue outside of the brain.
Sensory components transmit nerve impulses from sensory organs to the brain.