Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)

The **hypoglossal nerve** is the twelfth cranial nerve (CN XII) and is responsible for motor innervation to all intrinsic and most extrinsic muscles of the tongue (except the palatoglossus muscle, which is innervated by the vagus nerve). It originates from the hypoglossal nucleus in the medulla oblongata of the brainstem. The hypoglossal nerve exits through the hypoglossal canal at the base of the skull and travels to supply muscles that control movements essential for speech, swallowing, chewing, and clearing saliva. Damage to this nerve can lead to weakness or paralysis of tongue muscles on one or both sides, resulting in difficulties with articulation and swallowing[1][2][3][4].

Other names

Cranial nerve XIITwelfth cranial nerveNervus hypoglossus