Cranial nerves

These are paired structures emerging from the brainstem, with the exception of I. and II. cranial nerve.

I. Nervus olfactorius - at the base of the skull it passes through the lamina cribrosa of the ossis ethmoidalis.

II. Nervus opticus - t the base of the skull passes through the canalis opticus together with the opthalmica artery. III. Nervus oculomotorius - at the base of the skull passes through the fissura orbitalis superior.

IV. Nervus trochlearis - at the base of the skull passes through the fissura orbitalis superior.

V. Nervus trigeminus
 * V/1 Nervus ophtalmicus - passes through the fissura orbitalis superior at the base of the skull.
 * V/2 Nervus maxillaris - at the base of the skull passes through the foramen rotundum into the pterygopallatina fossa.
 * V/3 Nervus mandibularis - passes through the foramen ovale at the base of the skull.

VI. Nervus abducens - passes through the fissura orbitalis superior at the base of the skull.

VII. Nervus facialis - at the base of the skull passes through the meatus acusticus internus, then the foramen stylomastoideum.

VIII. Nervus vestibulocochlearis - does not extend from the base of the skull, it remains in the meatus acusticus internus.

IX. Nervus glossopharyngeus - -passes through the jugular foramen at the base of the skull.

X. Nervus vagus - at the base of the skull passes through the jugular foramen. XI. Nervus accessorius - passes through the jugular foramen at the base of the skull.

XII. Nervus hypoglossus - passes through the canalis hypoglossi at the base of the skull.