Biology
Cranial Nerves
Quick fact
Cranial nerves emerge directly from the brain (not the spinal cord), and the vagus nerve travels all the way to your abdomen, influencing heart rate, digestion, and more.
Why this is interesting
When a doctor asks you to follow their finger with your eyes, they're testing one of your 12 cranial nerves. But did you know these nerves control everything from your sense of smell to your tongue movements?