Here is a neat little song to learn the 12 cranial nerves and basic functions (sung to the tune of 12 Days of Christmas). For a comprehensive list of fun mnemonics to learn the cranial nerves, check out Cranial Nervonics!

 

THE TWELVE CRANIAL NERVES

 

I (Olfactory)

 

On the first nerve of the cranium

 

my true love gave to me:

 

My sense olfactory

 

 

II (Optic)

 

On the second nerve of the cranium

 

my true love gave to me:

 

Two eyes a-looking,

 

And my sense olfactory

 

 

III (Oculomotor)

 

On the third nerve of the cranium

 

my true love gave to me:

 

Three cross-eyed glances,

 

Two eyes a-looking,

 

And my sense olfactory

 

 

IV (Trochlear)

 

On the fourth nerve of the cranium

 

my true love gave to me:

 

Four superior oblique muscles,

 

Three cross-eyed glances,

 

Two eyes a-looking,

 

And my sense olfactory

 

 

V (Trigeminal)

 

On the fifth nerve of the cranium

 

my true love gave to me:

 

Mas-ti-ca-tion!

 

Four superior oblique muscles,

 

Three cross-eyed glances,

 

Two eyes a-looking,

 

And my sense olfactory

 

 

VI (Abducens)

 

On the sixth nerve of the cranium

 

my true love gave to me:

 

Six sideways glances,

 

Mas-ti-ca-tion!

 

Four superior oblique muscles,

 

Three cross-eyed glances,

 

Two eyes a-looking,

 

And my sense olfactory

 

 

VII (Facial)

 

On the seventh nerve of the cranium

 

my true love gave to me:

 

Seven funny faces,

 

Six sideways glances,

 

Mas-ti-ca-tion!

 

Four superior oblique muscles,

 

Three cross-eyed glances,

 

Two eyes a-looking,

 

And my sense olfactory

 

 

VIII (Vestibulocochlear)

 

On the eighth nerve of the cranium

 

my true love gave to me:

 

Eight sounds and balance,

 

Seven funny faces,

 

Six sideways glances,

 

Mas-ti-ca-tion!

 

Four superior oblique muscles,

 

Three cross-eyed glances,

 

Two eyes a-looking,

 

And my sense olfactory

 

 

IX (Glossopharyngeal)

 

On the ninth nerve of the cranium

 

my true love gave to me:

 

Nine quick swallows,

 

Eight sounds and balance,

 

Seven funny faces,

 

Six sideways glances,

 

Mas-ti-ca-tion!

 

Four superior oblique muscles,

 

Three cross-eyed glances,

 

Two eyes a-looking,

 

And my sense olfactory

 

 

X (Vagus)

 

On the tenth nerve, the vagus,

 

my true love gave to me:

 

Ten heart beats a minute,

 

Nine quick swallows,

 

Eight sounds and balance,

 

Seven funny faces,

 

Six sideways glances,

 

Mas-ti-ca-tion!

 

Four superior oblique muscles,

 

Three cross-eyed glances,

 

Two eyes a-looking,

 

And my sense olfactory

 

 

XI (Accessory)

 

On the eleventh nerve of the cranium

 

my true love gave to me:

 

Eleven heads a-tilting,

 

Ten heart beats a minute,

 

Nine quick swallows,

 

Eight sounds, and balance,

 

Seven funny faces,

 

Six sideways glances,

 

Mas-ti-ca-tion!

 

Four superior oblique muscles,

 

Three cross-eyed glances,

 

Two eyes a-looking,

 

And my sense olfactory

 

 

XII (Hypoglossal)

 

On the twelfth nerve of the cranium

 

my true love gave to me:

 

Twelve lovely lickings,

 

Eleven head's a-bobbing,

 

Ten take it slowly,

 

Nine deep throating,

 

Eight hear her panting,

 

Seven smile with pleasure,

 

Six look for condoms,

 

Mas-ti-ca-tion! (Don't bite!)

 

Four look to heaven,

 

Three roll your eyes,

 

Two (you've seen it coming)

 

Can have fun with a-na-to-my!