Mixed nerve

A mixed nerve is any nerve that contains both sensory (afferent) and motor (efferent) nerve fibers. All 31 pairs of spinal nerves are mixed nerves. Four of the twelve cranial nerves – V, VII, IX and X are mixed nerves.

Examples

Spinal nerves

The 31 pairs of spinal nerves are mixed.

• 8 cervical nerves
• 12 thoracic nerves
• 5 lumbar nerves
• 5 sacral nerves
• 1 coccygeal nerve

Cranial nerves

Four of the cranial nerves are mixed nerves.

• Trigeminal nerve (CN V)
• Facial nerve (CN VII)
• Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX)
• Vagus nerve (CN X)

References