General Anatomy GDN131: Cranial Nerves MCQ
Part 1: MCQs (30 Questions)
* Which of the following is NOT a nerve supply region for the head and neck?
A. Cranial nerves
B. Cervical plexus
C. Lumbar plexus
D. Cervical part of sympathetic chain
Answer: C
* How many pairs of cranial nerves are there?
A. 10
B. 11
C. 12
D. 13
Answer: C
* Which cranial nerves originate from the forebrain?
A. Olfactory and Optic nerves
B. Oculomotor and Trochlear nerves
C. Trigeminal and Abducent nerves
D. Facial and Vestibulocochlear nerves
Answer: A
* Which cranial nerves are purely sensory?
A. III, V, VII
B. I, II, VIII
C. IV, VI, XI, XII
D. IX, X
Answer: B
* The Olfactory nerve passes through which opening in the skull?
A. Optic canal
B. Superior orbital fissure
C. Cribriform plate of ethmoid
D. Foramen rotundum
Answer: C
* The Optic nerve carries which type of sensation?
A. Smell
B. Taste
C. Visual
D. Hearing
Answer: C
* From which part of the brain does the Oculomotor nerve originate?
A. Forebrain
B. Midbrain
C. Pons
D. Medulla
Answer: B
* The Oculomotor nerve is motor to most of the:
A. Muscles of mastication
B. Muscles of facial expression
C. Extra-ocular muscles
D. Tongue muscles
Answer: C
* Which cranial nerve is motor to the superior oblique muscle of the eye?
A. Oculomotor nerve
B. Trochlear nerve
C. Abducent nerve
D. Optic nerve
Answer: B
* The Trigeminal nerve originates from the:
A. Midbrain
B. Pons
C. Medulla
D. Forebrain
Answer: B
* Which cranial nerve is described as the "thickest cranial nerve"?
A. Optic nerve
B. Facial nerve
C. Trigeminal nerve
D. Vagus nerve
Answer: C
* The Trigeminal nerve provides sensory innervation to the greater part of all the following
EXCEPT:
A. Scalp
B. Face
C. Neck
D. Nasal cavity
Answer: C
* Which of the following muscles is not innervated by the motor component of the
Trigeminal nerve?
A. Muscles of mastication
B. Anterior belly of digastric
C. Mylohyoid
D. Orbicularis oculi
Answer: D
* The motor nucleus of the Trigeminal nerve lies in the:
A. Medulla
B. Midbrain
C. Pons
D. Spinal cord
Answer: C
* The main sensory nucleus of the Trigeminal nerve is concerned with:
A. Pain and temperature sensations
B. Proprioceptive sensation
C. Touch and pressure sensations
D. Smell sensation
Answer: C
* Which Trigeminal nucleus is concerned with pain and temperature sensations?
A. Motor nucleus
B. Main sensory nucleus
C. Spinal nucleus
D. Mesencephalic nucleus
Answer: C
* Proprioceptive sensation for the Trigeminal nerve is associated with which nucleus?
A. Spinal nucleus
B. Mesencephalic nucleus
C. Motor nucleus
D. Main sensory nucleus
Answer: B
* The sensory root fibers of the Trigeminal nerve are the axons of the cells in the:
A. Ciliary ganglion
B. Trigeminal ganglion
C. Pterygopalatine ganglion
D. Submandibular ganglion
Answer: B
* The peripheral processes of the Trigeminal ganglion cells form which three divisions of
the Trigeminal nerve?
A. Optic, Facial, Vestibulocochlear
B. Oculomotor, Trochlear, Abducent
C. Olfactory, Glossopharyngeal, Vagus
D. Ophthalmic, Maxillary, Mandibular
Answer: D
* The Trigeminal ganglion is also known as the:
A. Otic ganglion
B. Semilunar or Gasserian ganglion
C. Submandibular ganglion
D. Ciliary ganglion
Answer: B
* Where is the Trigeminal ganglion located?
A. Within the cavernous sinus
B. At the apex of the petrous bone within a dural fold
C. Posterior to the optic chiasma
D. In the spinal cord
Answer: B
* The Abducent nerve is a pure:
A. Sensory nerve
B. Motor nerve
C. Mixed nerve
D. Parasympathetic nerve
Answer: B
* Which muscle of the eye is motorically supplied by the Abducent nerve?
A. Superior oblique
B. Ciliary muscle
C. Lateral rectus
D. Sphincter pupillae muscle
Answer: C
* The Optic nerve terminates in the:
A. Olfactory bulb
B. Optic chiasma
C. Ciliary ganglion
D. Trigeminal ganglion
Answer: B
* The Olfactory nerve arises from receptors in the:
A. Retina
B. Olfactory mucosa in the roof of the nasal cavity
C. Cochlea
D. Tongue
Answer: B
* Which of the following cranial nerves is not a pure sensory nerve?
A. Olfactory nerve
B. Optic nerve
C. Vestibulocochlear nerve
D. Oculomotor nerve
Answer: D
* The Trochlear nerve is a motor nerve that originates from the:
A. Pons
B. Medulla
C. Midbrain
D. Forebrain
Answer: C
* According to the document, Misr International University (MIU) College of Oral and
Dental Medicine aims to be recognized:
A. Locally only
B. Regionally and internationally
C. Nationally only
D. Globally only
Answer: B
* The mission of MIU College of Oral and Dental Medicine includes preparing dentists
committed to:
A. Financial gains only
B. Human values and professional ethics
C. Political ideologies
D. Technological advancements only
Answer: B
* Applied research prepared by the Faculty is committed to being in line with:
A. Local market needs only
B. Global labor market demands
C. National strategies
D. Personal interests of faculty members
Answer: C
Part 2: Medical Case-Based MCQs (10 Questions)
* A patient presents with a complete loss of smell sensation. Which cranial nerve is most
likely affected?
A. Optic nerve (CN II)
B. Olfactory nerve (CN I)
C. Trigeminal nerve (CN V)
D. Facial nerve (CN VII)
Answer: B
Rationale: The olfactory nerve is a pure sensory nerve responsible for carrying smell
sensation.
* A patient reports double vision and difficulty moving their left eyeball upwards and
inwards. Which cranial nerve is most likely impaired?
A. Trochlear nerve (CN IV)
B. Abducent nerve (CN VI)
C. Oculomotor nerve (CN III)
D. Optic nerve (CN II)
Answer: C
Rationale: The Oculomotor nerve is motor to most of the extra-ocular muscles,
responsible for various eyeball movements.
* A dentist is examining a patient who complains of severe pain in the right side of their
face, including the scalp, and difficulty chewing. Which cranial nerve is primarily involved in
this patient's symptoms?
A. Facial nerve (CN VII)
B. Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)
C. Trigeminal nerve (CN V)
D. Vagus nerve (CN X)
Answer: C
Rationale: The Trigeminal nerve is sensory to a great part of the scalp and face, and motor
to the muscles of mastication.
* A patient is unable to abduct their right eye (move it outwards). This suggests a lesion of
which cranial nerve?
A. Oculomotor nerve (CN III)
B. Trochlear nerve (CN IV)
C. Abducent nerve (CN VI)
D. Facial nerve (CN VII)
Answer: C
Rationale: The Abducent nerve is motor to the lateral rectus muscle, which is responsible
for abduction of the eye.
* During a neurological examination, a clinician tests the corneal reflex and finds it absent.
This reflex primarily tests the sensory function of which cranial nerve?
A. Optic nerve (CN II)
B. Facial nerve (CN VII)
C. Trigeminal nerve (CN V)
D. Oculomotor nerve (CN III)
Answer: C
Rationale: The Trigeminal nerve is sensory to the orbit, which includes the cornea.
* A patient presents with a loss of sensation for touch and pressure over their forehead.
This specific sensory deficit would be associated with a problem in which nucleus of the
Trigeminal nerve?
A. Spinal nucleus
B. Mesencephalic nucleus
C. Main sensory nucleus
D. Motor nucleus
Answer: C
Rationale: The main sensory nucleus of the Trigeminal nerve is concerned with touch and
pressure sensations.
* A patient complains of difficulty with vision, specifically stating that objects appear
blurry and they have trouble focusing. Assuming a cranial nerve issue, which nerve's
parasympathetic fibers, acting on the ciliary muscle, might be affected?
A. Trochlear nerve (CN IV)
B. Abducent nerve (CN VI)
C. Oculomotor nerve (CN III)
D. Optic nerve (CN II)
Answer: C
Rationale: The Oculomotor nerve has parasympathetic fibers that innervate the ciliary
muscle and sphincter pupillae muscle, which are involved in accommodation and pupillary
constriction.
* A patient is experiencing difficulty with balance and hearing loss in one ear. Which cranial
nerve is most likely implicated?
A. Facial nerve (CN VII)
B. Vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII)
C. Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)
D. Vagus nerve (CN X)
Answer: B
Rationale: The Vestibulocochlear nerve is responsible for hearing and balance functions.
* A patient is observed to have weakness in their muscles of mastication, making it difficult
for them to chew food properly. This motor deficit points to a problem with which cranial
nerve?
A. Facial nerve (CN VII)
B. Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)
C. Trigeminal nerve (CN V)
D. Accessory nerve (CN XI)
Answer: C
Rationale: The Trigeminal nerve is motor to the muscles of mastication.
* A patient presents with a specific visual field defect. Which cranial nerve is involved in
carrying visual sensation?
A. Olfactory nerve (CN I)
B. Optic nerve (CN II)
C. Oculomotor nerve (CN III)
D. Trochlear nerve (CN IV)
Answer: B
Rationale: The Optic nerve is a pure sensory nerve that carries visual sensation.
