Explanation
This mnemonic tells you whether each cranial nerve is Sensory, Motor, or Both. It's most helpful together with the mnemonic for the names of the cranial nerves themselves. The first letter of each word gives you the classification for each nerve, in order:
- S - Sensory: Olfactory nerve (I)
- S - Sensory: Optic nerve (II)
- M - Motor: Oculomotor nerve (III)
- M - Motor: Trochlear nerve (IV)
- B - Both: Trigeminal nerve (V)
- M - Motor: Abducens nerve (VI)
- B - Both: Facial nerve (VII)
- S - Sensory: Vestibulocochlear (Auditory) nerve (VIII)
- B - Both: Glossopharyngeal nerve (IX)
- B - Both: Vagus nerve (X)
- M - Motor: (Spinal) Accessory nerve (XI)
- M - Motor: Hypoglossal nerve (XII)
- 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
Also see: On Old Olympus' Towering Top..., for remembering the names of the cranial nerves themselves.
Alternative mnemonics
- Sorry Sherlock, Mean Moriarty Beat Me, But Some Bobbies Busted Moriarty Masterfully
- Some Scientists Make Money, But My Brother Says Beautiful Blonds Make More