This refers to a series of conditions in which nerves that arise from the brain are compressed and irritated by blood vessels. In these cases the pulsation from blood vessels is believed to create excess stimulation or hyperactive syndromes resulting in specific disturbances for the patient based on the nerve affected.

The 12 Cranial Nerves
The nerves that originate from the brain to supply various parts of the head, face and neck and are collectively referred to as the cranial nerves. The 12 cranial nerves are:

       I:   Olfactory nerves for sense of smell 
      II:   Optic nerves for sight 
     III:   Oculomotor nerves for most eye movements
     IV:   Trochlear nerves for moving the eyes down and inward 
      V:   Trigeminal nerves for facial sensation and chewing muscles
     VI:   Abducens nerves for moving the eyes outward 
    VII:   Facial nerves for facial muscle movement (facial expressions) 
   VIII:   Vestibulo-cochlear nerves for hearing and balance
     IX:   Glossopharyngeal nerves are mostly sensory and also aid in tasting, swallowing and salivary secretions
      X:   Vagal nerves for muscles in the mouth and larynx and for parasympathetic innervation of many organs in the body
     XI:   Spinal accessory nerves for neck movements 
    XII:   Hypoglossal nerves for tongue movements

The most commonly affected nerves are:  trigeminal,  glossopharyngeal, and the facial nerve . When nerves responsible for sensation are affected the term is referred to as neuralgia.

Learn about microvascular decompression >>