Human Kinetics
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Spine Injury Management in Sport

Spine Injury Mechanisms and Prevention

Common Spine Injuries

Though it's rare to see isolated cranial nerve damage resulting from an athletic injury, all ATCs should understand the function and testing of cranial nerves.

Can you match the cranial nerve with its sign of dysfunction?

a. Diplopia (double vision), especially when looking down
b. Dysphonia (difficulty speaking); dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
c. Medial deviation of the affected eye; diplopia (double vision)
d. Loss of function (in neck rotation, lateral flexion, or shoulder elevation)
e. Anosmia (loss of sense of smell)
f. Difficulty opening or closing eyes; decreased taste; difficulty wrinkling forehead
g. Inability to open or close mouth; decreased facial sensation
h. Decreased tongue motor function; difficulty speaking
i. Loss of vision (partial or total)
j. Decreased taste
k. Tinnitus; dizziness; loss of balance; decreased hearing
l. Decreased tracking; drooping eyelid; decreased pupil constriction
CN I hint: Olfactory
CN II hint: Optic
CN III hint: Oculomotor
CN IV hint: Trochlear
CN V hint: Trigeminal
CN VI hint: Abducent
CNVII hint: Facial
CN VIII hint: Vestibulocochlear
CN IX hint: Glossopharyngeal
CN X hint: Vagus
CN XI hint: Accessory
CN XlI hint: Hypoglossal
Check answers