Todays pickGreat Lakes: HOMES → SHAME

Todays pickGreat Lakes: HOMES → SHAME

Mnemonic device

On Old Olympus' Towering Top A Fin, A German, Viewed A Hop

Explanation

This is the mnemonic for the twelve cranial nerves, in order, with the first letter of each word matching the nerve below:

O - Olfactory nerve (I)
O - Optic nerve (II)
O - Oculomotor nerve (III)
T - Trochlear nerve (IV)
T - Trigeminal nerve (V)
A - Abducens nerve (VI)
F - Facial nerve (VII)
A - Auditory (Vestibulocochlear) nerve (VIII)
G - Glossopharyngeal nerve (IX)
V - Vagus nerve (X)
A - (Spinal) Accessory nerve (XI)
H - Hypoglossal nerve (XII)

Underside view of the brain with the twelve cranial nerves, each in its own color and labeled with its Roman numeral — I = Olfactory nerve (smell)

II = Optic nerve (vision)

III = Oculomotor nerve (eye movement)

IV = Trochlear nerve (superior oblique eye muscle)

V = Trigeminal nerve

VI = Abducens nerve (lateral eye muscle)

VII = Facial nerve

VIII = Vestibulocochlear nerve (hearing and balance)

IX = Glossopharyngeal nerve (tongue and throat)

X = Vagus nerve (the "wandering" nerve, originates further to the side)

XI = Accessory nerve

XII = Hypoglossal nerve (tongue), originates closer to the middle, just in front of the other nerve roots

Numbers X and XII are shown together at one nerve bundle in this image: the vagus and hypoglossal nerves happen to share the same color in this source diagram and aren't visually distinguishable from each other. (Source: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.5, Patrick J. Lynch)

Also see: Some Say Marry Modestly..., for remembering whether each nerve is Sensory, Motor, or Both.

Variations

On Old Olympus' Tip-most Top, A Finn And German Viewed Some Hops
On Old Olympus' Towering Tops, A Fin And German Viewed Some Hops
On Old Olympus' Towering Tops, A Fat, Angelic Girl Viewed Spanish Hops
On Old Olympus' Towering Tops, A Fine Victorian Gentleman Viewed A Hawk
Only Ordinary Obstacles Tend To Annoy Fat, Vulgar Girls Vying After Homes
Oh Oh Oh To Touch And Feel Val's Green Vest And Hat
Oh Oh Oh To Touch And Feel Very Good Velvet, AH
Oh Oh Oh Try Try Again, Failure, Victory, Gives Value And Harmony
On Occasion Of Tea Time, Attractive Faces Are Generally Viewed Some How
Onward Old Orks Toward The Argonath For A Great Villain, Slay Hobbits
Oh, One Once Took The Anatomy Final, Very Good Vacations Are Heavenly
On Old Olympus Towering Top, A Fop And Glutton Vended Some Hops

🍀 Random mnemonic device