The hypoglossal nerve provides motor innervation to the tongue, and may be affected by pathology at multiple locations along its pathway. Knowledge of its anatomy and careful examination of the tongue are important in the diagnosis of lesions and determination of appropriate testing. The hypoglossal nerve anatomy and physiology, clinical disorders, and the evaluation of the hypoglossal nerve are reviewed.
Hypoglossal nerve - cranial nerve XII - tongue - hypoglossal nucleus - cervical roots
