Nerves which start directly from the brainstem instead of the spinal cord.
In human anatomy, there are exactly 12 pairs of them, and they are named, in order:
- Olfactory nerve (I)
- Optic nerve (II)
- Oculomotor nerve (III)
- Trochlear nerve (IV)
- Trigeminal nerve (V)
- Abducens nerve (VI)
- Facial nerve (VII)
- Vestibulocochlear nerve (VIII), sometimes called the auditory nerve
- Glossopharyngeal nerve (IX)
- Vagus nerve (X)
- Accessory nerve (XI), sometimes called the spinal accessory nerve
- Hypoglossal nerve (XII)
Many mnemonics exist for this listing but perhaps the one best remembered is: Oh, Oh, Oh To Touch And Feel Virgin Girls Vaginas and Hymens.