Advanced Health Assessment Practice Exam

What function does cranial nerve VI (abducens) primarily control?

1. Lateral movement of the eye

2. Facial expressions

3. Hearing and balance

4. Swallowing and speech

The correct answer is: Lateral movement of the eye

Cranial nerve VI, known as the abducens nerve, is primarily responsible for controlling the lateral movement of the eye. This nerve innervates the lateral rectus muscle, which enables the eye to move away from the midline, facilitating horizontal eye movements. Understanding the specific role of the abducens nerve is crucial in clinical assessments, particularly during eye examinations. If the nerve is compromised, a patient may struggle with moving their eye outward, leading to symptoms such as double vision or strabismus (misalignment of the eyes). The other listed functions pertain to different cranial nerves: facial expressions are controlled by cranial nerve VII (facial nerve), hearing and balance are primarily managed by cranial nerve VIII (vestibulocochlear nerve), and swallowing and speech involve several cranial nerves, notably IX (glossopharyngeal) and X (vagus).