Better information makes for healthier horses,
Horseadvice.com is where equine science and horse sense intersect.

Common Diseases of the Cranial Nerves of the Horse
  by Robert N. Oglesby DVM

Introduction

Introduction » Blindness » Asymmetry of the Facial Muscles » Head Tilt, Eye Tick (Nystagmus), and/or Incoordination » Excessive Respiratory Noise » Difficulty Swallowing (dysphagia) » More Info 

Cranial nerves are nerve bundles that emerge from the brain, travel through skull foramina (holes) and innervate both sensory organs and the motor muscles of the head. There are twelve sets of nerves that are defined by both their location and function:
Cranial Nerve Function Cranial Nerve Name
Smell olfactory nerve (CN I)
Vision optic nerve (CN II)
Eye Movement oculomotor nerve (CN III)
trochlear nerve (CN IV)
abducens nerve (CN VI)
Sensation from the face
Motor to the muscles for biting, chewing 		trigeminal (CN V)
Facial expression
Taste from the anterior 2/3rds of the tonque
Salivaton (except from parotic gland)
Tearing (lacrimal gland). 		facial nerve (CN VII)
Hearing
Balance 		vestibulocochlear (CN VIII)
Taste from the posterior 1/3rd of the tonque
Salivation from the parotid gland.
Sensation and some motor to the pharynx. 		glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)
Swallowing (motor to the muscles of the soft palate, pharynx and larynx)
Vocalization (motor to the muscles of the soft palate, pharynx and larynx)
Heart rate (sensory and motor control of viscera including heart, lungs, and bowel)
gastrointestinal peristalsis 		vagus nerve (CN X)
Neck muscles that move the head. accessory nerve (CN XI)
Tongue movement
Swallowing 		hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)
The cranial nerves are numbered in order of appearance from the skull starting at the front of the brain and moving backward. Diseases effecting the cranial nerves is common in the horse and include:
  • blindness
  • asymmetry of the facial muscles (facial nerve paralysis)
  • head tilt, eye tick (nystagmus) and/or incoordination (ataxia)
  • excessive respiratory noise
  • difficulty swallowing
In this article we will cover some of the common presentations of cranial nerve disease, causes, diagnosis, and treatment. Links to more specific articles are provided where available.
      ~Word Count: 1640 words (The average magazine page contains about 600 words);
      ~Last Updated: September 08, 2009;

There are 2 ways to access the complete article:

You have just read the introduction to one of our nearly 800 articles on horse care, diseases, and training. It includes a description of the contents of the unabridged version. As a guest you can access this article two different ways: either purchase the article or become a member and take advantage of all the benefits Horseadvice.com has to offer. Check out our Membership Drive Discount below but hurry. This is for a limited time!
BBB Reliability Seal Your assurance of excellent customer service.
128 bit SSL encryption We use 128 bit SSL encryption, so your order is secure.

#1: Article Purchase: $7 US for instant access to the unabridged article.

We guarantee your satisfaction or we will refund the purchase price:

#2 Join Horseadvice: for as little as $4 US a month you get instant access to this article and one of the finest equine resources in the world!

During our membership drive we will waive our 10$ Join Fee!

Full Access with No Posting: 4$ US a month
  • Recommended to those who wish to have full access to one of the finest equine resources, including articles and discussions, but does not feel the need to post to the discussion boards.
  • 14$ 4$ US to join which includes the first month. Membership automatically renews monthly for 4$ US. You may cancel anytime online.
Full Access Membership
Price: 14$ US
Membership Drive Price: 4$ US
(includes first month access)

Full Access with Discussion Posting: 7$ US a month
  • Recommended to those who wish to have full access to one of the finest equine resources anywhere and engage an equine veterinarian and experienced horsefolks with questions and discussions on all aspects of horses and horsemanship.
  • 31$ 21$ US to join, which includes the first 3 months. Membership then automatically renews monthly for 7$ US. You may cancel anytime online.
Full Service Membership
Price: 31$ US
Membership Drive Price: 21$ US
(includes 3 months service)

Uncertain if you want to become part of one of the finest most up-to-date equine resources in the world? Click Here for More Information!

Discussions on Cranial Nerve Diseases
  Titles Subtopics Posts Updated
iconNerve Damage?1 6 Jun 22, 09
iconNew Article: Cranial Nerve Dysfunction1 1 Jan 5, 09
Before posting be sure to review the articles on your topic and preexisting discussions to see if your question has been answered.

Start a New Discussion
Home Page | Todays Discussions | Search | Top of Page Administration
  http://www.horseadvice.com
is The Horseman's Advisor
Helping Thousands of Equestrians, Farriers, and Veterinarians Every Day
All rights reserved, © 2009 		BBB Reliability Seal