Hypoglossal nerve
Nervus hypoglossus
- Related terms: Hypoglossal nerve [XII]
Definition
The hypoglossal nerve (XII) is a motor cranial nerve that provides somatic efferent innervation to the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the tongue.
Number : XII
Sensory, motor, or both : motor
Origin : hypoglossal motor nucleus in the medulla oblongata.
Route / Reports : the hypoglossal nerve emerges from the medulla oblongata and leaves the cranial cavity through the hypoglossal canal, then courses rostrally toward the tongue.
Distribution : intrinsic muscles of the tongue and the extrinsic tongue muscles, including the hyoglossus, genioglossus, and styloglossus muscles.
Description : The hypoglossal nerve is a purely motor cranial nerve that originates from the medulla oblongata, exits the skull through the hypoglossal canal, and courses toward the tongue, where it innervates the intrinsic and extrinsic lingual muscles responsible for tongue movements.
References
Evans HE, de Lahunta A. Millers anatomy of the dog, 4th edition, Elsevier Saunders, St Louis, 2012.
