There are 12 pairs of cranial nerves. All but one pair of them go from the brain to the head and neck. The other pair go to the chest and abdomen. Cranial nerves carry sensation from the face, head, and neck to the brain. They also carry information to and from the organs to the brain. They control the muscles in the face and throat. They let you see, hear, smell, and taste. And they connect the balance center of the inner ear to the brain.

The cranial nerves also control movement of the eyes and tongue and regulate certain body functions.