Which of the following cranial nerves are mixed ?
1. Vagus 2. Trigeminal 3. Glassopharyngeal 4. Auditory

Options

A. 1 & 2 are correct
B. 2 & 4 are correct
C. 1 & 3 are correct
D. 1, 2 & 3 are correct

Answer

To determine which of the given cranial nerves are mixed, we need to analyze each option based on their functions. Mixed cranial nerves contain both sensory and motor fibers, allowing them to perform both functions.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Cranial Nerves**:
- There are 12 pairs of cranial nerves, which can be classified into three categories: sensory, motor, and mixed.
- Sensory nerves carry information from sensory organs to the brain, motor nerves carry commands from the brain to muscles, and mixed nerves have both sensory and motor functions.

2. **Identifying the Types of Cranial Nerves**:
- **Sensory Nerves**:
- Olfactory (I)
- Optic (II)
- Vestibulocochlear (VIII, also known as Auditory)
- **Motor Nerves**:
- Oculomotor (III)
- Trochlear (IV)
- Abducens (VI)
- Accessory (XI)
- Hypoglossal (XII)
- **Mixed Nerves**:
- Trigeminal (V)
- Facial (VII)
- Glossopharyngeal (IX)
- Vagus (X)

3. **Analyzing the Given Options**:
- **Vagus (X)**: This is a mixed cranial nerve.
- **Trigeminal (V)**: This is also a mixed cranial nerve.
- **Glossopharyngeal (IX)**: This is another mixed cranial nerve.
- **Auditory (VIII)**: This is a sensory cranial nerve, not mixed.

4. **Conclusion**:
- The mixed cranial nerves from the options provided are Vagus, Trigeminal, and Glossopharyngeal. The Auditory nerve is purely sensory.

5. **Final Answer**:
- The mixed cranial nerves among the options are: **Vagus, Trigeminal, and Glossopharyngeal**. Therefore, the correct answer is **Option D (1, 2, and 3)**.