brain, spinal cord, and nerve disorders
Neurologic Examination
Cranial Nerves
There are 12 pairs of Overview of the Cranial Nerves , which connect the brain with the eyes, ears, nose, face, tongue, throat, neck, upper shoulders, and some internal organs (see table A cranial nerve may be damaged anywhere along its length as a result of any of the following: An injury Impaired blood flow An autoimmune disorder A tumor An infection Increased pressure in the skull (intracranial pressure) The exact site of the damage can often be identified by testing the functions of a particular cranial nerve. 