Which cranial nerves are BOTH Sensory and Motor?

The cranial nerve that is classified as both sensory and motor is the trigeminal nerve, which is responsible for sensation in the face and motor functions such as biting and chewing. It has three major branches: the ophthalmic, maxillary, and mandibular branches. The sensory function allows it to relay sensation from the face to the brain, covering areas such as touch, pain, and temperature. The motor aspect is involved in the muscles of mastication, which are essential for chewing.

In contrast, the optic nerve is purely sensory, solely responsible for vision. The vestibulocochlear nerve is also purely sensory, involved in hearing and balance. The olfactory nerve, associated with the sense of smell, functions exclusively as a sensory nerve. Therefore, the trigeminal nerve stands out as the only cranial nerve that encompasses both sensory and motor capabilities, highlighting its dual role in facial sensation and muscle control.