Chapter 14 - Section 14.6 - The Cranial Nerves - Before You Go On - Page 552: 25

The purely sensory cranial nerves, also known as the sensory cranial nerves, are responsible for transmitting sensory information from various parts of the head and neck to the brain. There are three purely sensory cranial nerves, and each serves a specific sensory function: 1. **Olfactory Nerve (CN I)**: - Function: The olfactory nerve is responsible for the sense of smell. It carries sensory information from the olfactory receptors in the nasal mucosa to the olfactory bulb and then to higher brain centers for processing and perception of odors. 2. **Optic Nerve (CN II)**: - Function: The optic nerve is responsible for vision. It transmits visual information from the retina of the eye to the brain's visual centers, where it is processed and interpreted to create the perception of sight. 3. **Vestibulocochlear Nerve (CN VIII)**: - Function: The vestibulocochlear nerve has two divisions, the vestibular branch, and the cochlear branch. - Vestibular Branch: It is involved in the sense of balance and spatial orientation. It carries sensory information from the semicircular canals of the inner ear, which detect head movement and rotational acceleration. - Cochlear Branch: It is responsible for hearing. It transmits auditory information from the cochlea of the inner ear to the brain, allowing us to perceive sounds. These purely sensory cranial nerves play crucial roles in sensory perception, including smell, vision, balance, and hearing.

The purely sensory cranial nerves, also known as the sensory cranial nerves, are responsible for transmitting sensory information from various parts of the head and neck to the brain. There are three purely sensory cranial nerves, and each serves a specific sensory function: 1. **Olfactory Nerve (CN I)**: - Function: The olfactory nerve is responsible for the sense of smell. It carries sensory information from the olfactory receptors in the nasal mucosa to the olfactory bulb and then to higher brain centers for processing and perception of odors. 2. **Optic Nerve (CN II)**: - Function: The optic nerve is responsible for vision. It transmits visual information from the retina of the eye to the brain's visual centers, where it is processed and interpreted to create the perception of sight. 3. **Vestibulocochlear Nerve (CN VIII)**: - Function: The vestibulocochlear nerve has two divisions, the vestibular branch, and the cochlear branch. - Vestibular Branch: It is involved in the sense of balance and spatial orientation. It carries sensory information from the semicircular canals of the inner ear, which detect head movement and rotational acceleration. - Cochlear Branch: It is responsible for hearing. It transmits auditory information from the cochlea of the inner ear to the brain, allowing us to perceive sounds. These purely sensory cranial nerves play crucial roles in sensory perception, including smell, vision, balance, and hearing.