Nervus terminalis — still an enigmatic cranial nerve
Nervus terminalis — still an enigmatic cranial nerve

Summary/Abstract: Introduction: Nervus terminalis is called “cranial nerve 0” or “thirteenth cranial nerve”. Although it was also discovered in humans more than 100 years ago as a plexiform structure medial to the olfactory nerve, the exact place of its entry into the brain differs according to several authors. Embryology: Evidence proved its presence along with the vomeronasal organ in parasagittal sections of 7-week-old (19-mm) human embryos. Gross anatomy: Postnatally it presents as a nerve plexus medial to the olfactory bulbs with ganglia found on the dura of the crista galli. Function and clinical significance: Likewise, its function is still unclear today: it is assumed that it modulates the activity of the olfactory epithelium. Discussion and conclusion: Its course can complicate the outcome of endonasal endoscopic surgical procedures and access to the frontal sinuses. Some authors assume that it could be responsible for the spread of the SARS-Cov-2 virus to the brain.

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