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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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of hypoglossal nerve

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

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

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 Miles, Alexander

Unilateral Paralysis of Tongue, from bruising of hypoglossal nerve during operation for tuberculous cervical glands.

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

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 Miles, Alexander

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