Question

Which of the following cranial nerve regulates the heartbeat?

• A. VII
• B. IV
• C. X
• D. All of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is C X

Nerves arising from the brain are called cranial nerves. They come out from the cranium through apertures called foramina. There are 12 pairs of cranial nerves in human beings (Olfactory - Optic - Oculomotor - Trochlear - Trigeminal - Abducens - Facial - Auditory - Glossopharyngeal - Vagus - Spinal accessory - Hypoglossal).
X nerve is the vagus nerve which is a mixed cranial nerve that arises from the side of medulla and controls the visceral sensations and movements of the larynx, lungs, heart, stomach and intestines.
VII nerve is the facial nerve which is a mixed cranial nerve that arises from the sides of pons. These nerves control secretion of tear glands, two salivary glands (submaxillary and sublingual) and sense of taste from the front half of tongue (all tastes except bitter).
IV nerve is the trochlear nerve which is a motor in nature and helps in movement of eyeballs.