Cranial Nerves for Speech-Language Pathology
Read the first section here. The other 4 sections and 6 key terms open with a paid plan.
Anatomy & PhysiologyFree preview
Audio edition, 6 min. Included with a plan, with the other audio guides.
Create an accountHear a free preview
The Big 6 for Speech & Swallowing
| CN | Name | Type | SLP-Relevant Functions | Damage Signs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | Trigeminal | Mixed (S+M) | Jaw movement (mastication); sensation to face, oral cavity, anterior 2/3 tongue (general) | Jaw deviation toward weak side; reduced chewing; facial numbness |
| VII | Facial | Mixed (S+M) | Facial expression; lip closure; taste anterior 2/3 tongue; salivary glands (sublingual, submandibular) | Facial droop (LMN lesion such as Bell's palsy: upper and lower face on the lesion side; unilateral UMN lesion: lower face on the opposite side, forehead largely spared); drooling; loss of taste; difficulty with bilabials |
| IX | Glossopharyngeal | Mixed (S+M) | Sensation posterior 1/3 tongue & pharynx; taste posterior 1/3; gag reflex (afferent); stylopharyngeus (pharyngeal elevation) | Reduced gag (afferent); taste loss posterior tongue; dysphagia |
| X | Vagus | Mixed (S+M) | Vocal fold movement; velopharyngeal closure; pharyngeal constriction; laryngeal sensation; gag reflex (efferent) | Dysphonia; breathy voice; VPI; aspiration; dysphagia |
| XI | Spinal Accessory | Motor | SCM & trapezius (head turning, shoulder shrug); contributes to pharyngeal/laryngeal function | Head/neck weakness; difficulty with head positioning for swallowing |
| XII | Hypoglossal | Motor | Tongue movement (all intrinsic & most extrinsic muscles) | Tongue deviation toward weak side; dysarthria; oral phase dysphagia |
CN XI's pharyngeal and laryngeal role follows the exam convention of a cranial root; many current anatomy texts assign those cranial-root fibers to CN X (Lachman et al., 2002).
The rest of this outline 4
- Other CNs Relevant to SLP
- Vagus Nerve Branches: Critical Detail
- Oral Mechanism Exam: CN Assessment
- Sources to Know
Free account
Start with free study previews
The other 4 sections and 6 key terms with definitions open with a paid plan. A free account keeps the placement quiz, the free previews and 5 practice questions a day.
Related outlines
Disclaimer: Praxis is a registered trademark of Educational Testing Service (ETS). SLP Study Hub is not affiliated with or endorsed by ETS or ASHA. This outline is original educational content written for SLP Study Hub and aligned to the publicly available Praxis 5331 test blueprint.