Point 7 Intro Pathway Deficit Note Summary Overview Problems Contents Anatomy

Axons from cells within the hypoglossal nucleus course ventrally to exit the medulla between the pyramid and the inferior olive. The hypoglossal nerve then passes through the hypoglossal foramen to emerge from the base of the skull. Each nerve innervates the ipsilateral intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the tongue (you referred to this nerve as somatomotor in Gross Anatomy and learned that the palatoglossus is innervated by C.N X; this is tooo detailed for neuro!). These muscles are arranged as paired groups, fused at the midline and oriented in multiple planes that allow the extremely varied and complex movement capabilities of the tongue in speaking, chewing, swallowing, and buccal cleaning processes.