Question

Fill in the blank

In all, there are _____ pairs of cranial nerves and _____ pairs of spinal nerves.

• A. 12
• B. 31

Answer 1

Somatic nervous system (SNS)

1. They belong to the Peripheral nervous system (PNS). They carry impulses from the central nervous system (CNS) to different parts of the body.
2. Based on the organ from which the nerves arise, the nerves are divided into two types- spinal and cranial nerves.

Cranial nerves

1. Cranial nerves arise from the brain.
2. They can be sensory or mixed types of nerves.
3. Humans have 12 pairs of cranial nerves.

Spinal nerves

1. Spinal nerves arise from the spinal cord.
2. They are mixed nerves.
3. Humans have 31 pairs of spinal nerves.

Final answer

In all, there are 12 pairs of cranial nerves and 31 pairs of spinal nerves.