hypoglossal nucleus

Introduction

Somatic motor nucleus of CN 12.

• paired nuclei located midline in the posterior aspect of the medulla
• fibers exit anterior to the inferior olive.
  • all other cranial nerves in the medulla exit posterior to the inferior olive (CN 7, CN 8, CN 9 & CN 10)
• fibers originating in hypoglossal nucleus innervate the tongue

More general terms

• cranial nerve nucleus

Additional terms

• hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)