hypoglossal nerve

American  

noun

Anatomy.

1. either one of the twelfth pair of cranial nerves, consisting of motor fibers that innervate the muscles of the tongue.

---

hypoglossal nerve British  

noun

1. the twelfth cranial nerve, which supplies the muscles of the tongue

---

Etymology

Origin of hypoglossal nerve

First recorded in 1840–50

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hypoglossal nerve

The hypoglossal nerve is responsible for controlling the muscles of the lower throat and tongue.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

The hypoglossal nerve is the motor nerve that controls the muscles of the tongue, except for the palatoglossus muscle, which is controlled by the vagus nerve.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

These—as indicated by their supply from a branch of the hypoglossal nerve, which descends on either side of the trachea—are, so to speak, a detached, now mostly independent colony of glosso-pharyngeal muscles.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Slice 7 "Bible" to "Bisectrix" by Various

The lingual, external maxillary and superior thyreoid arteries, and the hypoglossal nerve are also liable to be divided at this level, but the main vessels of the neck usually escape.

From Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities—Head—Neck. Sixth Edition. by Alexander Miles

Hemi-atrophy occurs in various diseases of the central nervous system, as well as after injuries and diseases implicating the hypoglossal nerve.

From Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities—Head—Neck. Sixth Edition. by Alexander Miles

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---