Best Mnemonic to Remember Cranial Nerves

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Do you have trouble remembering the cranial nerves? In this blog, I will provide you with mnemonics that will help you remember them more easily. You can use them to remember the names of the twelve cranial nerves, as well as which ones are sensory, motor, or both.

A mnemonic is an effective memory aid that helps us recall information. One of the best things about mnemonics is that they are a fun way of learning. Employ the power of mnemonics to remember what you read!

There are 12 pairs of cranial nerves. Each cranial nerve has a name and a corresponding number as follows:

  1. Olfactory (I)
  2. Optic (II)
  3. Oculomotor (III)
  4. Trochlear (IV)
  5. Trigeminal (V)
  6. Abducent (VI)
  7. Facial (VII)
  8. Vestibulocochlear (VIII)
  9. Glossopharyngeal (IX)
  10. Vagus (X)
  11. Accessory (XI)
  12. Hypoglossal (XII)

Mnemonic for Cranial Nerves

A simple mnemonic to remember the names of the 12 cranial nerves is “One Of Our Top Teachers Asked For Very Good Vinegar And Honey”. It is in the order of cranial nerve I to XII.

One Of Our Top Teachers Asked For Very Good Vinegar And Honey

  1. Olfactory (I)
  2. Optic (II)
  3. Oculomotor (III)
  4. Trochlear (IV)
  5. Trigeminal (V)
  6. Abducent (VI)
  7. Facial (VII)
  8. Vestibulocochlear (VIII)
  9. Glossopharyngeal (IX)
  10. Vagus (X)
  11. Accessory (XI)
  12. Hypoglossal (XII)

Cranial nerves can be sensory, motor, or both.

A simple mnemonic to remember the functions (sensory, motor, or both) of the 12 cranial nerves is “Some Say Marry Money But My Brother Says Big Brains Matter More”.

Some Say Marry Money But My Brother Says Big Brains Matter More

  1. Olfactory (I) – Sensory
  2. Optic (II) – Sensory
  3. Oculomotor (III) – Motor
  4. Trochlear (IV) – Motor
  5. Trigeminal (V) – Both
  6. Abducent (VI) – Motor
  7. Facial (VII) – Both
  8. Vestibulocochlear (VIII) – Sensory
  9. Glossopharyngeal (IX) – Both
  10. Vagus (X) – Both
  11. Accessory (XI) – Motor
  12. Hypoglossal (XII) – Motor

Sensory cranial nerve is indicated by the words starting with the letter “S”.

Motor cranial nerve is indicated by the words starting with the letter “M”.

Words beginning with the letter “B” indicate cranial nerves with both sensory and motor components.

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