Brainstem Nuclei | Classification | CN | Function | Decussation | Exit from Skull |
Edinger-Westphal Nucleus | GVE | CN III | Pupil Constriction, Ciliary Muscles | Ipsilateral | Superior Orbital Fissure |
Oculomotor Nucleus | GSE | CN III | Levator palpebrae superior, medial rectus, inferior rectus, superior rectus, inferior oblique | Ipsilateral | Superior Orbital Fissure |
Trochlear Nucleus | GSE | CN IV | Superior Oblique | Contralateral | Superior Orbital Fissure |
Trigeminal Motor Nucleus | SVE | CN V | Muscles of mastication and tensor tympani muscle | Bilateral | Foramen Ovale |
Superior Salivatory Nucleus | GVE | CN VII | Lacrimal glands, submaxillary gland, submandibular gland | Ipsilateral | (1)Internal auditory meatus, (2) greater petrosal - pterygoid canal, (3) chorda tympani - petrotympanic fissure |
Facial Nucleus | SVE | CN VII | Muscles of facial expression, stapedius muscle, and part of digastric muscle | top 1/2 - bilateral, lower 1/2 -contralateral | internal auditory meatus and stylomastoid foramen |
Abducens Nucleus | GSE | CN VI | Lateral rectus | Ipsilateral | Superior Orbital Fissure |
Inferior Salivatory Nucleus | GVE | CN IX | Parotid gland | Ipsilateral | (1) Jugular foramen, (2) Lesser Petrosal Foramen, (3) Forman Ovale |
Nucleus Ambiguus | SVE | CN IX, X | Taste | Bilateral | Jugular Foramen |
Hypoglossal Nucleus | GSE | CN XII | Muscles of tongue | Contralateral | Hypoglossal Foramen |
Spinal Accessory Nucleus | SVE | CN XI | Sternomastoid and upper trapezius muscles | Contralateral (Crosses with Corticospinal) | Jugular Foramen |
Trigeminal Nucleus | GSA | CN V, VII, IX, X | Touch, pain, temperature, position, and vibration sense for face, sinuses, and meninges | Contralateral | Different for each CN |
Vestibular Nucleus | SSA | CN VIII | Vestibular Sensation | Bilateral | Interal Auditory Meatus |
Dorsal and Ventral Cochlear Nuclei | SSA | CN VII | Hearing | Bilateral | Internal Auditory Meatus |
Nucleus Solitarius, Rostral Position | SVA | CN VII, IX, X | Taste | Different for each CN | Different for each CN |
Nucleus Solitarius, Caudal Position | GVA | CN IX, X | Chemo and Baroreceptors of Carotid Body (IX) and Aortic Arch (X) | Ipsilateral (IX), Bilateral (X) | Jugular Foramen |