An Easy Way to Learn the Cranial Nerves

Mnemonic for the Cranial Nerves

• 1

  Write out the list of cranial nerves:

  Olfactory nerve
  Optic nerve
  Oculomotor nerve
  Trochlear nerve
  Trigeminal nerve
  Abducens nerve
  Facial nerve
  Vestibulocochlear nerve
  Glossopharyngeal nerve
  Vagus nerve
  Accessory nerve
  Hypoglossal nerve

• 2

  Assign an easy rhyme or saying that uses the first letter of each cranial nerve to create your sentence. For example, one mnemonic for learning the cranial nerves can be: On Occasion Oscar Tells Timmy About Funny Vegetables Grandma Verna Always Had.

• 3

  Practice remembering which acronym was associated with cranial nerves. Once you remember the order, you will be able to devote time to remembering exact terms.

Mnemonic for Function

• 4

  Differentiate the cranial nerves by remembering whether they are sensory, motor or both. You may use a mnemonic to help you remember this portion of your exam as well.

• 5

  Assign the sensory nerves with an “S,” motor nerves with an “M” and nerves that do both with a “B.”

• 6

  Create your mnemonic to help you remember which nerves are sensory, motor or both. One example may be: Sally Says Mark Mumbles, But Mark Begs Sally “Bug Me More!”