Question

Which cranial nerve arises from the dorsal aspect of the pons?

1) Olfactory nerve (CN I)
2) Optic nerve (CN II)
3) Trochlear nerve (CN IV)
4) Abducens nerve (CN VI)
5) Facial nerve (CN VII)
6) Vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII)
7) Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)
8) Vagus nerve (CN X)
9) Accessory nerve (CN XI)
10) Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)

Answer 1

The trochlear nerve (CN IV) is the cranial nerve that arises from the dorsal aspect of the pons and is responsible for eye movement by controlling the superior oblique muscle.

Step-by-step explanation:

The cranial nerve that arises from the dorsal aspect of the pons is the trochlear nerve (CN IV). Among the twelve cranial nerves, which are responsible for the sensory and motor functions of the head and neck, the trochlear nerve is unique for several reasons. It is the only cranial nerve that emerges from the dorsal aspect of the brainstem, specifically, the back of the pons near the midbrain. Additionally, it is a motor nerve that innervates a single muscle: the superior oblique muscle of the eye, which controls the movement of the eyeball. Its primary role is to enable the downward and inward movement of the eye.