accessory nerve

American  

noun

Anatomy.

1. either one of the eleventh pair of cranial nerves, consisting of motor fibers from the spinal cord that innervate the pharyngeal, trapezius, and sternocleidomastoid muscles, and motor fibers from the brain that join the vagus to innervate the thoracic and abdominal viscera.

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accessory nerve British  

noun

1. either one of the eleventh pair of cranial nerves, which supply the muscles of the head, shoulders, larynx, and pharynx and the viscera of the abdomen and thorax

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Etymology

Origin of accessory nerve

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

accessory nerve

The spinal accessory nerve is responsible for controlling the muscles of the neck, along with cervical spinal nerves.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

Deficits associated with the accessory nerve may have an effect on orienting the head, as described with the VOR.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

Along with the spinal accessory nerve, these nerves contribute to elevating the scapula and clavicle through the trapezius, which is tested by asking the patient to shrug both shoulders, and watching for asymmetry.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

Movement of the head and neck using the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles is controlled by the accessory nerve.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

In the same group are three or four glands which lie entirely under cover of the upper end of the sterno-mastoid muscle, and surround the accessory nerve before it perforates the muscle.

From Manual of Surgery Volume First: General Surgery. Sixth Edition. by Thomson, Alexis