| Term | Definition |
| Olfactory | CNI - olfactory epithelium - cribriform plate - smell |
| Optic | CNII - retina of eye - optic canal - sight |
| Oculomotor | CNIII - midbrain of brainstem - superior orbital fissure - eye movements, parasympathetic (intrinsic eye muscles for pupil constriction) |
| Trochlear | CNIV - midbrain of brainstem - superior orbital fissure - eye movements |
| Trigeminal | CNV - pons of brainstem - sensory (face, anterior scalp, nasal cavity, palate, tongue and teeth); motor (muscles of mastication) |
| Ophthalmic | CNV_1 - pons - superior orbital fissure - sensory to upper face (anterior scalp, orbit, upper nasal cavity) |
| Maxillary | CNV_2 - pons - foramen rotundum - sensory to mid-face (lower nasal cavity, palate, cheeks, upper lip and teeth) |
| Mandibular | CNV_3 - pons - foramen ovale - sensory to lower face (lower lip and teeth, tongue, chin), motor to muscles of mastication |
| Abducens | CNVI - pons of brainstem - superior orbital fissure - eye movements |
| Facial | CNVII - pons of brainstem - enters: internal auditory meatus; exits: stylomastoid foramen - muscles of facial expression, taste, parasympathetic (salivary and lacrimal glands) |
| Vestibulocochlear | CNVIII - pons and medulla oblongata of brainstem - jugular foramen - equilibrium (vesitbular) and hearing (cochlear) |
| Glossopharyngeal | CNIX - medulla oblongata of brainstem - jugular foramen - sensory to pharynx; taste; parasympathetic (parotid gland) |
| Vagus | CNX - medulla oblongata of brainstem - jugular foramen - motor and sensory to pharynx, larynx; parasympathetic (thoracic/abdominal viscera) |
| Accessory | CNXI - medulla oblongata of brainstem and spinal cord - jugular foramen - motor to SCM and trapezius |
| Hypoglossal | CNXII - medulla oblongata of brainstem - hypoglossal canal - motor to tongue muscles |