Anatomy

The majority of hoarseness seen in lung cancer patients is the result of recurrent
laryngeal newe palsy. The recurrent laryngeal nerve is a branch of the vagus nerve. Up
to 18% of patients with lung cancer experience recurrent laryngeal nerve compression
causing hoarseness. Because the recurrent lalyngeal nerves lack bilateral symmetry, the
left recurrent lalyngeal is often affected since it runs a longer course.
The phrenic nerve supplies the diaphragm.
The external laryngeal newe is a branch from the superior laryngeal newe. A lesion to
this nen/e will cause a change in pitch.
The hypoglossal newe innewates the muscles of the tongue.
The lateral head of the median nerve branches from the brachial plexus. This group of
nerves supply the arm.
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