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cranial nerve
noun
: any of the nerves that arise in pairs from the lower surface of the brain one on each side and pass through openings in the skull to the periphery of the body and that comprise 12 pairs in reptiles, birds, and mammals and usually 10 in fishes and amphibians
Examples of cranial nerve in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve in the body, extending from the bottom of the brain down through the neck and into the chest and stomach.
—Caitlin Pagán, Verywell Health, 3 Dec. 2024
The vagus nerves are among a dozen major cranial nerve pairs.
—IEEE Spectrum, 1 May 2019
This sudden pain may result from irritation to the glossopharyngeal nerve (one of the four cranial nerves), which runs from the brain stem through the tonsils and along your ears.
—Sarah Hudgens, Health, 5 Oct. 2024
It’s caused by inflammation of the facial nerve called cranial nerve 7.
—Laura Dorwart, Verywell Health, 13 Aug. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1840, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near cranial nerve
Cite this Entry
“Cranial nerve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cranial%20nerve. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
cranial nerve
noun
: any of the paired nerves that arise from the lower surface of the brain and pass through openings in the skull
Medical Definition
cranial nerve
noun
: any of the 12 paired nerves that arise from the lower surface of the brain with one of each pair on each side and pass through openings in the skull to the periphery of the body see abducens nerve, accessory nerve, auditory nerve, facial nerve, glossopharyngeal nerve, hypoglossal nerve, oculomotor nerve, olfactory nerve, optic nerve, trigeminal nerve, trochlear nerve, vagus nerve
More from Merriam-Webster on cranial nerve
Britannica English: Translation of cranial nerve for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cranial nerve
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