How many cranial nerves are present in the human body?

The correct answer is that there are 12 cranial nerves in the human body. These nerves emerge directly from the brain, primarily the brainstem, and are part of the peripheral nervous system. Each cranial nerve has a specific function, which includes sensory functions such as vision and smell, as well as motor functions that control muscles in the head, face, and neck.

Understanding the significance of each cranial nerve is important in fields such as dental nursing because they can influence oral health, facial sensation, and motor control of the muscles involved in chewing and speech. For instance, the trigeminal nerve is crucial for facial sensation and dental pain, while the facial nerve controls the muscles of facial expression.

The other options do not accurately represent the number of cranial nerves. While some options may seem plausible, they fail to account for the full list of recognized cranial nerves, which include both sensory and motor pathways, highlighting their essential role in the body's nervous system.