Which cranial nerve is responsible for the sense of smell?

Unlock all questions

This demo includes only 20 questions. Upgrade to access hundreds of questions, flashcards, exam simulations, and disable ads.

Full question bankExam simulationsFlashcards
From $24.99Unlock all

Prepare for the NCLEX with neurological disorders practice quizzes. Study with multiple choice questions and detailed explanations to enhance understanding and performance. Get ready to excel in your exam!

Multiple Choice

Which cranial nerve is responsible for the sense of smell?

Explanation:
The sense of smell is carried by the olfactory nerve, cranial nerve I. It begins with odor-detecting receptor cells in the nasal epithelium, whose axons pass through the cribriform plate to reach the olfactory bulb and then project to higher brain areas involved in smell. This nerve is purely sensory and has its origins in the forebrain, not the brainstem. The other nerves listed have different roles—one handles vision, and the others move eye muscles and control pupillary actions. So, the nerve responsible for smell is the olfactory nerve.

The sense of smell is carried by the olfactory nerve, cranial nerve I. It begins with odor-detecting receptor cells in the nasal epithelium, whose axons pass through the cribriform plate to reach the olfactory bulb and then project to higher brain areas involved in smell. This nerve is purely sensory and has its origins in the forebrain, not the brainstem. The other nerves listed have different roles—one handles vision, and the others move eye muscles and control pupillary actions. So, the nerve responsible for smell is the olfactory nerve.

More Multiple Choice Questions
Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy