How to Check for Cranial Nerve Damage

The 12 cranial nerves are the conducting paths between the brain and parts of the trunk, head and neck. Damage may affect areas such as hearing, sight, taste and facial muscles. Some areas are affected by more than one cranial nerve. A doctor will check for cranial nerve damage based on the patient's symptoms and physical examination. More extensive testing may include a CT (computed tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the brain to determine the extent of damage.

Things You'll Need

• Cologne
• Garlic
• Large spoon
• Flashlight

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Instructions

Check Cranial Nerves One through Six for Damage

• 1

  Evaluate your sense of smell. The olfactory nerve gives the ability to smell properly. A quick test is to smell something with a distinct odor, such as cologne or garlic, with each nostril separately.

• 2

  Do a quick optic nerve check by covering one eye with a large spoon. Look straight ahead and determine if you can see movement at your side. Change to the other eye and do the same. A doctor will use a bright light to evaluate your ability to detect light, or have someone shine a light into your eye from a slight angle while you look straight ahead.

• 3

  Find the reaction of the oculomotor cranial nerve by observing the eye movement and pupil response to changes in light. This test should be done by an eye professional. Damage to the oculomotor nerve also affects the ability to raise the eyelids. Evaluation for third nerve palsy requires a specialist in ophthalmology.

• 4

  Check for trochlear nerve damage by evaluating the ability to follow movement with your eyes. An eye care professional will move a target up and down for you to follow without moving your head.

• 5

  Determine trigeminal nerve involvement by evaluating sensation in the face. If any facial area is super sensitive to touch, or if jaw or facial pain is present during chewing, this could indicate cranial nerve damage.

• 6

  Look for appropriate abducens nerve action by checking your ability to look to each side. Your doctor can evaluate for any hesitancy or difficulty in outward eye movement.

Check Cranial Nerves Seven through Twelve for Damage

• 7

  Check for facial nerve damage by evaluating your ability to have free movement of your mouth and muscles surrounding your eyes. You should be able to smile and open and close your eyes without difficulty. A neurologist is the specialist to determine if motor damage is present.

• 8

  Get an appointment with an auditory specialist to check for hearing and balance abnormalities. A hearing test is painless and is done through headphones with specific tones to determine if your range of hearing is impaired.

• 9

  Evaluate the glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves which control swallowing and speech. Your doctor will check you gag reflex using a tongue blade and touching the back of your throat.

• 10

  Turn your head from side to side and shrug the shoulders to evaluate the involvement of the accessory cranial nerve. Difficulty in moving against resistance could indicate nerve damage.

• 11

  Stick out your tongue for the doctor to evaluate appropriate tongue movement. The tongue should protrude evenly between the sides of your mouth.