CN
I
Cranial Nerve
Olfactory
Type
Sensory
Names Mnemonic
Oh
Type Mnemonic
Some
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Cranial Nerves Mnemonic for MBBS (Easy to Remember)
There are 12 cranial nerves, and MBBS Anatomy examiners expect you to name them in order, classify each as Sensory (S), Motor (M), or Both (B), and describe their functions. Two classic mnemonics cover both requirements. Learn them together and you will never blank on this in a theory paper or viva.
SME-reviewed & Updated 2026.
Download the GeckoMed app to access your Anatomy notes, PYQs, and viva prepThe Cranial Nerves Mnemonic (Names in Order)
Use this sentence to recall all 12 cranial nerves in the correct order:
"Oh Oh Oh To Touch And Feel Very Good Velvet Ah Heavens"
One word per nerve, from CN I to CN XII.
What Each Word Stands For
The table below expands both mnemonics side by side. Memorise the Names mnemonic first, then overlay the Type mnemonic.
| CN | Cranial Nerve | Type | Names Mnemonic | Type Mnemonic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | Olfactory | Sensory | Oh | Some |
| II | Optic | Sensory | Oh | Say |
| III | Oculomotor | Motor | Oh | Marry |
| IV | Trochlear | Motor | To | Money |
| V | Trigeminal | Both | Touch | But |
| VI | Abducens | Motor | And | My |
| VII | Facial | Both | Feel | Brother |
| VIII | Vestibulocochlear | Sensory | Very | Says |
| IX | Glossopharyngeal | Both | Good | Big |
| X | Vagus | Both | Velvet | Brains |
| XI | Accessory | Motor | Ah | Matter |
| XII | Hypoglossal | Motor | Heavens | Most |
CN
II
Cranial Nerve
Optic
Type
Sensory
Names Mnemonic
Oh
Type Mnemonic
Say
CN
III
Cranial Nerve
Oculomotor
Type
Motor
Names Mnemonic
Oh
Type Mnemonic
Marry
CN
IV
Cranial Nerve
Trochlear
Type
Motor
Names Mnemonic
To
Type Mnemonic
Money
CN
V
Cranial Nerve
Trigeminal
Type
Both
Names Mnemonic
Touch
Type Mnemonic
But
CN
VI
Cranial Nerve
Abducens
Type
Motor
Names Mnemonic
And
Type Mnemonic
My
CN
VII
Cranial Nerve
Facial
Type
Both
Names Mnemonic
Feel
Type Mnemonic
Brother
CN
VIII
Cranial Nerve
Vestibulocochlear
Type
Sensory
Names Mnemonic
Very
Type Mnemonic
Says
CN
IX
Cranial Nerve
Glossopharyngeal
Type
Both
Names Mnemonic
Good
Type Mnemonic
Big
CN
X
Cranial Nerve
Vagus
Type
Both
Names Mnemonic
Velvet
Type Mnemonic
Brains
CN
XI
Cranial Nerve
Accessory
Type
Motor
Names Mnemonic
Ah
Type Mnemonic
Matter
CN
XII
Cranial Nerve
Hypoglossal
Type
Motor
Names Mnemonic
Heavens
Type Mnemonic
Most
The Cranial Nerves Type Mnemonic (Sensory, Motor, or Both)
Once you have the names in order, use this sentence to recall the type for each nerve:
"Some Say Marry Money But My Brother Says Big Brains Matter Most"
Read it against the table above: S S M M B M B S B B M M. That is the type sequence from CN I to CN XII.
A quick pattern to note: the first four sensory or motor nerves (CN I, II, VIII) are pure sensory; CN III, IV, VI, XI, XII are pure motor; and the mixed nerves (CN V, VII, IX, X) all carry both sensory and motor fibres and are the ones examiners most commonly ask about in viva.
How to Remember These Mnemonics
Two practical tricks:
- Say both sentences together on the same breath -- "Oh Oh Oh To Touch And Feel Very Good Velvet Ah Heavens" then immediately "Some Say Marry Money But My Brother Says Big Brains Matter Most." Your memory encodes them as a pair and the type sequence follows automatically.
Anchor the tricky nerves: CN VIII (Vestibulocochlear) is the only sensory nerve that breaks the pattern in the middle of the sequence. Remember that it carries only afferent fibres for hearing and balance -- it has no motor component. If you can remember that exception, the rest of the S/M/B sequence stays intact.
How This Topic Appears in MBBS Exams
Cranial nerves appear in Anatomy (Phase 1, 1st Year) short notes and structured questions. Common formats:
- "Name the cranial nerves in order and classify them as sensory, motor, or mixed." (5 marks)
- "Write a short note on the Facial nerve." (5 marks)
- "Enumerate the pure motor cranial nerves." (3 marks)
Viva examiners routinely ask students to name the cranial nerves from memory, then follow up with: "Which cranial nerve exits the skull through the superior orbital fissure?" (CN III, IV, and VI, along with the ophthalmic branch of CN V) or "Which is the only cranial nerve to emerge from the dorsal surface of the brainstem?" (CN IV, Trochlear).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best mnemonic for the 12 cranial nerves?
The most widely used mnemonic in Indian MBBS colleges is "Oh Oh Oh To Touch And Feel Very Good Velvet Ah Heavens" for the names in order. Pair it with "Some Say Marry Money But My Brother Says Big Brains Matter Most" for the Sensory, Motor, or Both classification. Learning both together is more efficient than learning either one alone.
How many cranial nerves are sensory, motor, and mixed?
Of the 12 cranial nerves, three are purely sensory (CN I Olfactory, CN II Optic, CN VIII Vestibulocochlear), five are purely motor (CN III Oculomotor, CN IV Trochlear, CN VI Abducens, CN XI Accessory, CN XII Hypoglossal), and four carry both sensory and motor fibres (CN V Trigeminal, CN VII Facial, CN IX Glossopharyngeal, CN X Vagus).
Which cranial nerves are most commonly tested in MBBS Anatomy viva?
The Facial nerve (CN VII), Trigeminal nerve (CN V), and Vagus nerve (CN X) are the most frequently asked in viva because of their complex courses, multiple branches, and clinical correlations. The Oculomotor nerve (CN III) is commonly asked in relation to the pupillary light reflex and third nerve palsy.
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