Cranial nerves

The following list provides a guide to the rapid assessment of the cranial nerves

• I - rarely tested, subjective assessment
• II
  • acuity
  • fields
  • fundi
• III, IV and VI
  • movements & nystagmus
  • diplopia
  • pupils same size and equally reactive to light and accommodation
• V
  • sensation to light touch, pain and cold
  • masseter and pterygoid muscle strength
  • corneal reflex, if appropriate
• VII
  • furrowing of brow on frowning, raising of eyebrows
  • show teeth, smile, puff out cheeks
  • screwing up of eyes
  • facial movement
• VIII
  • repeat number whispered into each ear
  • Rinne's test
  • Weber's test
• IX, X
  • palatal movement, difficulty swallowing, gag reflex
  • quality of speech:
    • nasal
    • guttural
    • say "ee"
• XI
  • sternocleidomastoid and trapezius bulk and strength
• XII
  • tongue at rest and on movements to command, e.g. protrude
  • say "la" and "ta"; quality of articulation