Editing Anatomy and Physiology (section)

=== Cranial Nerves ===

There are 12 pairs. Those most often assessed in nursing practice include II (optic, vision), III (oculomotor, pupil constriction and most eye movement), V (trigeminal, facial sensation and chewing), VII (facial, facial expression and taste on the anterior tongue), VIII (vestibulocochlear, hearing and balance), IX and X (glossopharyngeal and vagus, gag and swallow), and XII (hypoglossal, tongue movement).

'''Nursing application:''' Cranial nerves IX, X, and XII govern swallowing. Assessing gag, cough, and voice quality before giving anything by mouth after a stroke is an aspiration-prevention measure grounded directly in this anatomy.