The cranial nerve zero – mini review

Abstract

The terminal nerve (cranial nerve zero, cranial nerve XIII, the nerve “N”) was discovered in fish in 1894. In the early 90’s, it was found in human embryos and human adults. In the anterior fossa, it courses on the inner side of the olfactory tract and bulb; it then spreads fibers through the cribriform plate to distribute beneath the nasal septum mucosa. Being provided with intrinsic ganglion cells, its functions are weakly suggested by studies in different species. It may be connected with the visual system, it could act upon the intracranial vascular system, or it could ensure the pathway for pheromone-mediated behaviours. The cranial nerve zero deserves a better attention equally from anatomists and ENT specialists.