Anatomy

Hypoglossal Nerve

The 12th cranial nerve. The hypoglossal nerve originates in the hypoglossal nucleus of the medulla and supplies motor innervation to all of the muscles of the tongue except the palatoglossus (which is supplied by the vagus). This nerve also contains proprioceptive afferents from the tongue muscles.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

The 12th cranial nerve. The hypoglossal nerve originates in the hypoglossal nucleus of the medulla and supplies motor innervation to all of the muscles of the tongue except the palatoglossus (which is supplied by the vagus). This nerve also contains proprioceptive afferents from the tongue muscles.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Related Concepts

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

19 entry terms
  • Cranial Nerve XII
  • Nerve XII
  • Nervus Hypoglossus
  • Twelfth Cranial Nerve
  • Cranial Nerve XIIs
  • Cranial Nerve, Twelfth
  • Cranial Nerves, Twelfth
  • Hypoglossal Nerves
  • Hypoglossus, Nervus
  • Nerve XII, Cranial
  • Nerve XIIs
  • Nerve XIIs, Cranial
  • Nerve, Hypoglossal
  • Nerve, Twelfth Cranial
  • Nerves, Hypoglossal
  • Nerves, Twelfth Cranial
  • Twelfth Cranial Nerves
  • XII, Nerve
  • XIIs, Nerve

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

22 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings abnormalities, anatomy & histology, blood supply, chemistry, cytology, diagnostic imaging, drug effects, embryology, enzymology, growth & development, immunology, metabolism, microbiology, parasitology, pathology, physiology, physiopathology, radiation effects, surgery, transplantation, ultrastructure, virology.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

neoplasm = HYPOGLOSSAL NERVE DISEASES (IM) + CRANIAL NERVE NEOPLASMS (IM) + histological type of neoplasm (IM)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

MeSH Record

NLM Classification

WL 330

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Hypoglossal Nerve. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D007002. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D007002
  2. Hypoglossal Nerve. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypoglossal_nerve
  3. Hypoglossal Nerve. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q319577