List of mnemonics for the cranial nerves

As one author has noted, "Generations of biology and medical students have relied on mnemonic (memory-aiding) phrases and ditties, ranging from sublimely silly to the unprintably ribald, to help them remember the cranial nerves..."

The cranial nerves are:

• I - Olfactory nerve
• II - Optic nerve
• III - Oculomotor nerve
• IV - Trochlear nerve/pathic nerve
• V - Trigeminal nerve/dentist nerve
• VI - Abducens nerve
• VII - Facial nerve
• VIII - Vestibulocochlear nerve/Auditory nerve
• IX - Glossopharyngeal nerve
• X - Vagus nerve
• XI - Accessory nerve/Spinal accessory nerve
• XII - Hypoglossal nerve

Mnemonics for the nerves

A mnemonic uses, at the least, the first letter of each of the 12 nerves, in order. Examples listed below are those that have been published in textbooks:

• On Old Olympus' Towering Top, A Finn And German Viewed Some Hops
• Oh, Oh, Oh, To Touch And Feel A Girl's Very Soft Hands

Other variations have been composed more informally by individual persons and propagated to attain widespread notability, such as the ones below:

• Oh, Oh, Oh, To Touch And Feel Very Good' Velvet Aah Hah
• Oh, Oh, Oh, To Touch And Feel Very Good Vibes AHhhh
• Oh, Oh, Oh, To Touch And Fondle A Gorgeous Very Super Human.
• Oh, Once One Takes The Anatomy Final A Good Vacation Seems Heavenly!
• On Occasion, Our Trusty Truck Acts Funny--Very Good Vehicle Any How
• Ohh Ohh Ohh, To Touch And Feel Virgin Girl Vagina, Ahh Heaven

Though such mnemonics are typically obscene or ridiculous in nature, they are often found to be useful because they are easy to remember.

Mnemonics for the type of nerve

Mnemonics for the type of nerve or its function rely upon the letters S, M and B for sensory, motor or both. The mnemonics to remember the types of cranial nerves can be chosen from:
S = Sensory
M= Motor
B= Both (sensory + motor)...

A common mnemonic for the functions of the first through twelfth nerves, is "Some Say Marry Money, But My Brother Says Big Business Makes Money."

Another common variation of this is "Some Say Marry Money, But My Brother Says Big Brains Matter Most." (or Big Boobs)

Mnemonics for the foramina

To remember the skull foramina (plural of foramen) from which exit the 12 cranial nerves, the following statements may be used:

1. Cleaners Only Spray Smelly Stuff Right On Smelly Idiots In Jumbled Junkyards Juggled High
2. Carl Only Swims South. Silly Roger Only Swims In Infiniti Jacuzzis. Jane Just Hitchhikes.

• for Cribriform plate (Olfactory), Optic canal (Optic), Superior Orbital Fissure (Oculomotor), Superior Orbital Fissure (Trochlear), Superior Orbital Fissure (Trigeminal - Ophthalmic), Foramen Rotundum (Trigeminal - Maxillary), Foramen Ovale (Trigeminal - Mandibular), Superior Orbital Fissure (Abducens), Internal Acoustic Meatus (Facial), Internal Acoustic Meatus (Vestibulocochlear), Jugular Foramen (Glossopharyngeal), Jugular Foramen (Vagus), Jugular Foramen (Accessory), Hypoglossal Canal (Hypoglossal)