Cranial nerve XII, the hypoglossal nerve, is responsible for controlling muscles that move the tongue. The vestibulocochlear nerve is responsible for sound and balance. The abducens and trochlear are responsible for controlling extraocular muscles. The optic nerve conveys information from the photoreceptor cells of the retina of the eye.

Cranial nerves VII and IX supply taste sensation to the tongue. Cranal nerve VII (facial) supplies taste to the anterior two-thirds of the tongue and cranial nerve IX (glossopharyngeal) supplies somatosensation and taste to the posterior one-third of the tongue.

Though all of these nerves are involved with the eye, only one of them is involved with vision. The optic nerve (cranial nerve II) has a sensory function, allowing us to see. The oculomotor nerve (cranial nerve III) has a motor function, allowing eyelid and eyeball movement. The trochlear nerve (cranial nerve IV) also has a motor function, allowing the eye to turn downward and laterally. Lastly, the abducens nerve (cranial nerve VI) also has a motor function, allowing the eye to turn laterally.

Cranial nerve V (trigeminal) has 3 branches: ophthalmic, maxillary, and mandibular. Each of these branches have their own branches. The maxillary branch has 3 sub-branches named zygomaticofacial, zygomaticotemporal, and infraorbital. The mandibular branch has 3 sub-branches named auriculotemporal, buccal, and mental. The ophthamic branch has 5 sub-branches named supraorbital, supratrochlear, infraorbital, lacrimal, and external nasal.

CN XI only has motor function (innervation of the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles). The other nerves listed have the following parasympathetic functions: pupil constriction (CN III), salivation (CN VII and CN IX) and parasympathetic modulation over multiple internal organs (CN X).

Taste is unique and is controlled by the facial, glossopharyngeal, and vagus cranial nerves. This can be further explained in which facial controls the anterior two-thirds of the tongue, glossopharyngeal controls the posterior one-third, and vagus innervates taste in the pharynx.

Cranial nerve III is the oculomotor nerve, which controls most of the muscles needed for eye movement. Also, this nerve controls the ciliary muscle and is responsible for pupillary constriction via parasympathetic innervation. The cranial nerve that makes the eye look to the side is the abducens nerve or cranial nerve VI. The muscle that helps roate the eye down and out is the trochlear nerve or cranial nerve IV. The nerve that carries visual information from the back of the eyeballs to the brain is the optic nerve or cranial nerve II.

The glossopharyngeal cranial nerve functions in supplying visceral and somatic afferent sensation from the carotid body, carotid sinus, posterior one-third of the tongue, palatine tonsils, oropharynx, mucosa of the middle ear, and pharyngotympanic tube. It also supplies taste from the posterior one-third of the tongue and visceral efferent function to parotid salivary gland.

Cranial nerve (CN) VIII is the vestibulocochlear nerve. It is purely sensory in function, and is involved in audition, and proprioception. CN VII is the facial nerve. CN X is the vagus nerve. CN II is the optic nerve.

The vagus nerve (cranial nerve X) innervates the larynx, and is involve in speech production. The accessory nerve innervates the muscles in the neck and upper back. Cranial nerve IX is the glossopharyngeal nerve and innervates the pharynx. Cranial nerve XIII is the hypoglossal nerve that innervates the tongue.