how many pairs of spinal and cranial nerves
â¢ Nerves connected to the brain are called cranial nerves, whereas nerves connected with spinal cord are called spinal nerves. â¢ The functions of cranial nerves are concerned mainly with the activities associated with head and neck (except vagus nerve), while the functions of spinal nerves are associated with all the body parts, below the neck. â¢ In mammals, there are 12 pairs of cranial nerves while 31 pairs of spinal nerves exist. â¢ Spinal cords are named according to their location on the spinal cord, whereas cranial nerves are designated by serial numbers and names.