Cranial nerves like spinal nerves compose sensory – motor reflexes that serve as the foundation of movement.

• Cranial nerves like spinal nerves compose sensory – motor reflexes that serve as the foundation of movement.

• These complex peripheral nerves carry both sensory and motor axonal components for producing the most rapid behavioral responses.

• 12 cranial nerves exit through cranial foremen of the skull.

• Somatic type muscles (oculomotor, mastication, facial expression, vocalization, head turning, shoulder action, tongue function) are involved in overt reflexes and subtle multicomponent actions.

• Most nerves carry motor components of the parasympathetic system.

• Numerous visceral reflexes form around cranial nerve connections.