cranial nerves
Last reviewed 01/2018
The following list provides a guide to the rapid assessment of the cranial nerves
- I - rarely tested, subjective assessment
- II
- acuity
- fields
- fundi
- III, IV and VI
- movements & nystagmus
- diplopia
- pupils same size and equally reactive to light and accommodation
- V
- sensation to light touch, pain and cold
- masseter and pterygoid muscle strength
- corneal reflex, if appropriate
- VII
- furrowing of brow on frowning, raising of eyebrows
- show teeth, smile, puff out cheeks
- screwing up of eyes
- facial movement
- VIII
- repeat number whispered into each ear
- Rinne's test
- Weber's test
- IX, X
- palatal movement, difficulty swallowing, gag reflex
- quality of speech:
- nasal
- guttural
- say "ee"
- XI
- sternocleidomastoid and trapezius bulk and strength
- XII
- tongue at rest and on movements to command, e.g. protrude
- say "la" and "ta"; quality of articulation