Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

What function is primarily associated with the olfactory nerve (cranial nerve I)?

1. Vision

2. Balance

3. Smell

4. Taste

The correct answer is: Smell

The olfactory nerve, also known as cranial nerve I, is primarily responsible for the sense of smell. This nerve transmits sensory information from the olfactory receptors in the nasal cavity to the brain, where the signals are interpreted as distinct smells. The specialized cells in the olfactory epithelium detect odor molecules, and once activated, these signals travel through the olfactory bulb and into the olfactory cortex of the brain, allowing individuals to perceive and differentiate various odors. This function is distinct from that of the other options. Vision is primarily associated with cranial nerve II, which is responsible for transmitting visual information from the retina to the brain. Balance is mainly regulated by the vestibulocochlear nerve (cranial nerve VIII), which plays a critical role in the vestibular system for equilibrium and spatial orientation. Taste, while it involves olfactory cues, primarily involves different cranial nerves, notably the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) for the anterior two-thirds of the tongue and the glossopharyngeal nerve (cranial nerve IX) for the posterior one-third. Thus, the primary association of the olfactory nerve is with the perception of smell.