Hypoglossal Nerve | 合法醫療器材資訊網

The Hypoglossal nerve is the 12th cranial nerve[1]s that originate from the medulla obligate[2] of the brain stem. It innervates all the extrinsic and intrinsic muscles of the tongue, except for the palatoglossus which is innervated by the vagus nerve[3]. It is a nerve with a solely motor function.

The nerve arises from the hypoglossal nucleus of the brainstem[4], which is located near the midline of the medulla oblongata, and then travels between the carotid artery[5] and jugular vein to end up on the underside of the tongue. It supplies into the tongue

There are two hypoglossal nerves in the body: one on the left, and one on the right.[1]

Damage to the hypoglossal nerve causes paralysis of the tongue. Usually, one side of the tongue is affected, and when the person sticks out his or her tongue, it deviates or points toward the side that is damag...