Cranial nerve nuclei are collection of gray matter in the brain stem that is associated with one or more of the cranial nerves. This video describes the foundation of cranial nerve nuclei in a nutshell. Timeline: 00:00 introduction 01:02 fate of alar and basal plates in spinal cord 02:58 fate of alar and basal plates in brainstem 04:53 branchial arches and branchial motor nuclei 05:48 otic placodes 06:17 organization of cranial nerve nuclei