hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)

Efferents

• somatic motor function.
• innervates the tongue
• stimulates pharyngeal dilator muscle
  • role in airway patency

Course

• cell bodies in hypoglossal nucleus:
  • located midline in the posterior aspect of the medulla
  • fibers exit anterior to inferior olive
    • all other cranial nerves in the medulla exit posterior to the inferior olive (CN7, CN8, CN9 & CN10)
• exits from the cranium through the hypoglossal foramen

Pathology

• see cranial nerve XII palsy

More general terms

• cranial nerve

Additional terms

• cranial nerve XII palsy
• hyoglossal canal or foramen
• hypoglossal nucleus