What is the only cranial nerve that has fibers that enter and leave the skull through different foramen? (Hint: It enters through the foramen magnum and leaves through the jugular foramen.)
A) VI
B) XII
C) XI
D) I

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Only the spinal accessory nerve (XI) enters the skull through the foramen magnum and leaves through the jugular foramen, making it the only cranial nerve with fibers that enter and leave the skull through different foramen. Cranial nerves VI (abducens) and XII (hypoglossal) pass through a single foramen each (the superior orbital and hypoglossal canal respectively), while cranial nerve I (olfactory) doesn't pass through any foramen as it enters the skull through the cribiform plate of the ethmoid bone.

What Is the Only Cranial Nerve That Has Fibers That