Cranial nerves

The cranial nerves are 12 pairs of nerves which arise superficially from
the brain stem.

1- Olfactory nerve Sensory for smell.

2- Optic nerve Sensory for sight

3- Oculomotor nerve Motor nerve

4- Trochlear nerve Motor nerve

5- Trigeminal nerve Mixed nerve

6- Abducent nerve Motor nerve

7- Facial nerve Mixed nerve

8- Vestibulocochlear nerve Sensory nerve for equilibrium and

hearing

9- Glossopharyngeal nerve Mixed nerve

10- Vagus nerve Mixed nerve

11- Spinal accessory nerve Motor nerve

12- Hypoglossal nerve Motor nerve

* 1, 2 & 8 → Sensory nerves

* 3, 4, 6, 11 & 12 → Motor nerves

* 5 , 7, 9 & 10 → Mixed (motor nerves)

* 3, 7, 9 & 10 → Carry parasympathetic fibers

Superficial origin of the cranial nerves:-

Although each cranial nerve has a deep origin inside the brain (nucleus),
it emerges superficially at certain definite area, which differs from the
location of the nucleus of the deep origin. The superficial origin of the
cranial nerves is as follows:

1- The olfactory nerve fibers are attached to the olfactory bulb. They
come from the nasal cavity and pass through the cribriform plate of the
ethmoid bone.

2- The optic nerve forms with that of the other side, the optic chiasma,
from which the fibers pass through the optic tract to the lateral geniculate
body and mid brain.

3- The oculomotor nerve arises superficially from the middle of the

medial border of the cerebral peduncle.

4- The trochlear nerve arises superficially from the rostral cerebellar

peduncle. It is the only one, which arises from the dorsal aspect of the
brain stem. It curves around the lateral border of the cerebral peduncle
and appears between the latter, cerebrum and cerebellum.

5- The trigeminal nerve arises at the end of the pons by two roots, large
sensory root and a small motor root.

6- The abducent nerve arises from the most cranial part of the groove
forming the lateral boundary of the pyramid of medulla oblongata.

7- The facial nerve & 8- the vestibulocochlear N. arise from the end of
the corpus trapezodium. The facial is the medial and the smaller.

(9, 10 & 11) – the 9th (Glossophasyngeal nerve), 10th (Vagus nerve) and
the medullary root of the 11th (Accessory or Spinal Accessory nerve)
arise by small rootlets from the lateral border of the ventral surface of the
medulla oblongata.

The spinal accessory nerve has also a spinal root from the 1 st five
cervical segments of the spinal cord. This root enters the cranial cavity
through the foramen magnum to unite with the medullary root.

12- The hypoglassal nerve arises by small rootlets from the caudal part
of the groove bounding the pyramid of the medulla oblongata.

1- The olfactory nerve

- The olfactory nerve is sensory for smell.

- Its fibers are the central process of the olfactory cells of the olfactory
mucous membrane of the nasal cavity.

- Its fibers don't gather to from a trunk but from small bundles.

- These bundles pass from the nasal cavity to the cranial cavity through
the foramina of the cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone to be attached to
the olfactory bulb.

- The bundles of the olfactory nerve are accompanied by the fibers of the
terminal nerve from the septum nasi and the fibers of the vomeronasal
nerve from the vomeronasal organ.

2- The optic nerve

- The optic nerve is a sensory nerve for sight (vision).

- Its fibers are the central processes of the ganglionic cell layer in the
retina.

- These fibers are collected with each other at the optic papilla to form
the optic nerve.
Course:

- The optic nerve pierces the choroids & sclera at the ventrolateral aspect
of the caudal wall of the eyeball.

- It passes caudally in the orbit in a wavy appearance (zigzag line),

surrounded by the M. retractor oculi (M. retractor bulbi) toward the optic
foramen to enter the cranial cavity.

- In the cranial cavity, the optic nerve decussates with that of the
opposite side to from the optic chiasma from which the fibers pass to the
optic tract.

- The optic chiasma is incomplete because 12-15% of the fibers pass to

the ipsilateral side of the head.

3- The oculomotor nerve

- The oculomotor nerve is motor nerve that carries parasympathetic

fibers.

Origin: it arises superficially from middle in the medial border of the

cerebral peduncle.

Course: it leaves the cranial cavity through the orbital foramen, together
with the ophthalmic, abducent nerves and sometimes the trochlear nerve.

Distribution

- In the orbit, the oculmotor divides into dorsal & ventral branches.

- The dorsal branch divides into two branches to supply the M. levator
palpebrae superioris and the dorsal rectus muscle of the eye ball.

- The ventral branch is larger.

- It supplies the medial & ventral recti & the ventral oblique muscles of
eyeball.

- At its beginning, it presents the ciliary ganglion (to which it gives a

motor branch).

4- The trochlear nerve

- It is a motor nerve; it is the smallest of the cranial nerves.

Origin:

- It arises superficially from the rostral cerebellar peduncle. It is the only

one, which arises from the dorsal aspect of the brain stem.

Course:

- It curves around the lateral border of the cerebral peduncle and appears
between the latter, cerebrum and cerebellum.

- It emerges from the cranial cavity through the small trochlear foramen
or through the orbital foramen then passes at the medial aspect of the
orbit to enter the dorsal oblique muscle.

Distribution:

- It innervates the dorsal oblique muscle of the eyeball.

5- Trigeminal nerve

- The trigeminal nerve is a mixed cranial nerve.

Origin:

-It arises by two roots (large sensory root & small motor root) from the
end of the pons.

Course:
- The sensory root passes cranially to be attached to the semilunar
ganglion or (trigeminal ganglion).

- The ganglion is crescentic in shape. It lays in the rostrolateral part of

the foramen lacerum cranialis.

The rostral border of the ganglion is convex, from which arises the
ophthalmic and maxillary nerves as well as the sensory part of the
mandibular nerve.

- The motor root is small is passes under the sensory root & the ganglion
to unite with the sensory root & the ganglion to unite with the sensory
part of the mandibular nerve to from the mandibular nerve.

- The ophthalmic nerve is a sensory nerve.

- The maxillary nerve is a sensory nerve.

- The mandibular nerve is a mixed nerve.

a- Ophthalmic n.

The ophthalmic nerve is a sensory nerve emerges from the cranial cavity
through the orbital foramen with the oculmotor & abducent nerve. It
enters the orbit where it gives the following branches:-

1- The lacrimal nerve. It passes rostrally to supply or ramify in the

lacrimal gland & upper eyelid.

2- The zygomaticotemporal branch arises by a common trunk with the

lacrimal or sometimes directly from ophthalmic. It emerges caudal to the
supra orbital process of the frontal bone forming a plexus with the
frontal & auriculopalpebral nerve & supply the skin of the temporal
region.
3- The frontal nerve (supraorbital nerve) passes at first within the
periorbita then outside it to pass through the supraorbital foramen with
the supraorbital artery to supply in the skin of the fore head & upper
eyelid & forms a plexus with the lacrimal & auriculopalpebral nerve.

3- The nasocilliary nerve is the direct continuation of the ophthalmic

nerve. It passes rostrally under the dorsal rectus muscle giving the
following branches.

a- long sensory root to the ciliary ganglion.

b- The ethmoidal nerve is the direct continuation of the nasociliary. It

passes through the ethmoidal foramen to the cranial cavity then to the
nasal cavity through an opening in the cribrifrom plate of the ethmoid
bone to supply the septum nasi & the dorsal nasal concha.

c- The infratrochlear nerve passes toward the medial canthus (angle) of

the eye to supply the skin in this region. It also gives twigs to the
conjunctiva third eye lid, lacrimal caruncle larcrimal duct and lacrimal
sac.

b- Maxillary nerve

The maxillary nerve is purely sensory nerve. It emerges from the cranial
cavity after its origin from semilunar ganglion through the foramen
rotundum. It passes forward in the pterygopalatine fossa, under the
maxillary artery embedded in fat, and continues as the infraorbital nerve
which passes through the maxillary foramen to the infraorbital canal &
emerges though the infraorbital foramen dividing into eternal nasal,
internal nasal & superior labial branches.

The branches of the maxillary nerve are:-

1- Zygomalicofacial branch

It arises from the maxillary nerve at the foramen rotundum. It pierces the
periorbita and divides into 2 or 3 branches which pass rostrally on the
lateral rectus muscle of eyeball toward the lateral canthus (angle) of the
eye to ramify in the lower eyelid & adjacent skin. Connections are
formed with branches of the lacrimal nerve and the zygomatico-temporal
branch.

2- Pterygopalatine nerve

It arises from the ventral border of the maxillary nerve. It is flat & forms
a plexus in which present several ganglia (these are the pterygopalatine
plexuses and ganglia). It then gives three ranches:

a- The caudal nasal nerve is a small nerve which enters the nasal cavity
through the sphenopalatine foramen. It divides into medial and lateral
branches. The medial branch supplies the mucous membrane of the
lower part of the nasal septum and the vomeronasal organ; then passes
through the palatine fissure to end in the hard palate. The lateral branch
supplies the ventral nasal concha, the middle and ventral nasal meatuses.

b- The greater palatine nerve is a large branch, which passes through

the palatine canal & groove to end in the hard palate and gums.

c- The lesser palatine nerve passes rostroventrally, medial to the

maxillary tuber to end in the soft palate.

3- The infraorbital nerve

-It is the direct continuation of the maxillary nerve.

- It enters the infraorbital canal through the maxillary foramen.

- Within the canal, it gives maxillary alveolar branches to the teeth, gums
and periosteum.

- On emerging from the infraorbital foramen, the infraorbital nerve gives

off:-

a- The external nasal branches these are two or three in number. They
supply the dorsum nasi and the diverticulum nasi (false nostril).

b- The internal nasal branches supply the upper lip, nostril and the
mucous membrane of the nasal vestibule.

c- Superior labial branches

- The are the largest of the divisions of the infraorbital nerve.

- They ramify in the upper lip (mucous membrane & skin).

- They are connected with the dorsal buccal branch of the facial nerve.

c- Mandibular nerve

The mandibular nerve is a mixed nerve.

Origin: it is formed by a sensory part from the semilunar ganglion and a

motor part from the lateral part of the pons.

Course:

- It emerges from the cranial cavity through the foramen ovale.

- Then after giving several branches, it continues between the ramus of

the mandible and the medial pterygoid muscle.

- It terminates by dividing into the lingual and mandibular alveolar

nerves.

Distribution: its branches are:-

1- The masseteric nerve passes outward through the mandibular notch to
ramify in the deep face of the masseter muscle.

2- The deep temporal nerves are one of two branches which arise in
common with (or from) the masseteric nerve. They pass rostrally and
dorsally to supply the M. temporalis.

3- The buccal nerve passes rostrally and continues in the submucous

tissue of the cheek along the ventral border of the M. depressor labii
mandibularis to ramify at the labial commissure in the mucous
membrane of lips and glands of this region.

- It supplies the rostral part of the cheek and gives twigs to the mm of the
cheek & buccal glands.

- At its beginning it gives the lateral pterygoid n. to lateral pterygoid

muscle.

- The buccal nerve also supplies some branches to the M. temporalis.

4- The medial pterygoid nerve is a small branch. It passes ventrally &

rostrally to ramify at the caudal border of the medial pterygoid muscle
supplying it. It also gives branch to the otic ganglion which is present on
the mandibular nerve near the origin of buccal nerve.

5- The auriculotemporal n. arises from the mandibular n. & passes out

ward to curve around the neck of the ramus of the mandible, where it
divides into two branches:

A- The transverse facial nerve is the dorsal smaller which passes

rostrally with the same name vessels to supply the skin of the cheek.

B- The ventral branch (of the auriculotermporal n.) is connected with

the ventral buccal branch of the facial n.
- Before its division it gives branch to the guttural porch, parotid gland,
external ear, skin of external acoustic meatus and the tympanic
membrane.

6- The lingual n. arises from the mandbular nerve by a common trunk

with mandibular alveolar n.

- It proceeds between the ramus of the mandible & medial pterygold

muscle toward the root of the longue where it gives two branches
(superficial & deep).

a- The sublingual nerve (superficial branch) continued rostrally, with the

mandibular duct, along the styloglossal muscle, medial to the sublingual
salivary gland to supply the m.m. of the tongue & floor of the mouth.

b- The continuation of lingual n. (deep branch) passes between the

hyoglossal & genioglossal muscles toward apex of tongue to supply the
mucous mebrane of the cranial 2/3 of the tongue (for general sensation)
& connected with the branches of the hypoglossal n.

-Connected with the lingual n at its beginning is the chorda tympan of

facial which supplies the cranial 2/3 of the tongue (for taste sensation).

- At its beginning, the lingual n. gives off recurrent branches to isthmus

faucium and connected with the lingual branch of the glassopharyngeal
nerve.

7- The mandibular alveolar n. arises from the mandibular n. by a

common trunk with the lingual n. then continued between the ramus of
the mandible and the medial pterygold muscle to enter the mandibular
canal through the mandibular foramen.
- Within the canal, it gives mandibular alveolar branches to teeth,
periosteum & gums.

- After detaching a branch to the lower incisors, the mandibular alveolar

n. emerges through the menal foramen as the mental nerve which divides
into 6-8 inferior labial & mental branches which supply the lower lip and
mentum or (chin).

- The mandibular alveolar n. gives off the mylodyoid n. (before its

entrance into the mandibular canal) between the ramus of mandible and
the mylohyoid muscle to supply that muscle and the rostral belly of the
digastric muscle as well as the skin of the mandibular space.
 6- The abducent nerve

- It is a motor nerve.

Origin:

- It arises superficially from the most cranial part of the groove lateral to
the pyramid of the medulla oblongata.

Course:

- It leaves the cranial cavity through the orbital foramen together with
the oculomotor, ophthalmic and sometimes the trochlear nerves.

Distribution:

- In the orbit, it divides into two branches; one supplies the retractor
bulbi muscle and the other supplies the lateral rectus muscle of eyeball.

7- The facial nerve

- It is a mixed cranial nerve that parasympathetic fibers.

Origin:

- It arises superficially, together with the 8th cranial nerve from the lateral
end of the course trapezoidium.

Course:

- It enters the internal acoustic meatus and passes in the facial canal
where it presents the geniculate ganglion.

- It emerges form the canal through the stylomastoid foramen and

continues on the guttural pouch, undercover of the parotid salivary
gland.
- it then crosses the caudal border of the ramus of the mandible,
appearing from under the parotid gland where it divides before or after
its appearance into dorsal and ventral buccal branches.

Distribution:-

A- Within the facial canal, it gives 5 branches; these are:

1- Greater superficial petrosal nerve:

- It arises from the geniculate ganglion.

- It connects with the deep petrosal nerve from the deep petrosal plexus
of the sympathetic to form the nerve of the pterygoid canal (Vidian
nerve).

- The latter nerve emerges through the foramen lacerum then travels the
pterygoid canal to connect with the pterygopalatine plexus and ganglia.

2- A delicate branch arises from the geniculate ganglion and connects

with a filament from the tympanic plexus to form the lesser superficial
petrosal nerve ends in the otic ganglion.

3- The stapedial nerve which supplies the stapedius muscle of the

middle ear.

4- The chorda tympani nerve emerges through the petrotympanic fissure

and unites with the lingual nerve (of the mandibular N.). It is distributed
with the lingual nerve in the rostral two thirds of the tongue for taste
sensation.

- The chorda tympani also supplies the mandibular and sublingual

salivary glands through the mandibular ganglia.

5- Communicating branch to the auricular branch of the vagus N.

B- After emerging (exit) from the facial canal the facial nerve gives
off:-

6- The caudal auricular nerve

- arises from the facial N. at its emergence from the facial canal.

- Passes caudodorsally with the like- named artery in the substance of the
parotid salivary gland.

- It supplies the caudal and dorsal auricular muscles and the skin on the
convex aspect of the external ear.

7- The internal auricular nerve

- It arises from the facial N. in common with or close to the caudal

auricular N.

- It ascends in the substance of the parotid salivary gland then passes

through a foramen in the conchal cartilage.

- It supplies the skin on the concave aspect of the external ear.

8- Digastric nerve

- It arises from the facial opposite to the caudal auricular nerve.

- It descends in the substance of the parotid salivary gland.

- It ramifies in the caudal belly of the digastric muscle, the

occipltomandibular, occipitohyoid and stylohyoid muscles.

9- Parotid branches

- They are small branches that supply the guttural pouch and parotid
salivary gland.

- They form the parotid plexus with branches from the auriculotemporal
nerve.
10- Auriculopalpebral nerve

- It ascends in the substance of the parotid salivary gland and divides into
rostral auricular branches and zygomatic (temporal) branch.

a- The rostral auricular branches form a plexus with the frontal and
lacrimal nerves and supply the rostral and ventral auricular muscles.

- The zygomatic (temporal) branch passes on the temporal muscle

toward the medial angle of levator nasolabialis and corrigator supercilli.

11- The ramus colli

- It is a small nerve, arises from the ventral border of the facial n.,
opposite to the auriculopalpebral nerve.

- It passes in the parotid salivary gland then emerges between the gland
and the M. parotidoauricularis.

- It continues caudally on the jugular vein then anastmoses with the

cutaneous branch of the 2nd cervical nerve.

- it supplies the M. parotidoauricularis & M. cutaneous colli.

12- The dorsal buccal branch of the facial nerve it continues rostrally
along the upper part of the M. masseter.

- It ramifies in the muscles of the upper lip and nostril.

- It gives collateral branches to the buccinator muscle.

- It anastmoses with the infrorbital nerve (of the maxillary n.) and the
ventral buccal branch (of the facial N.).

13- The ventral buccal branch of the facial nerve:

- It passes obliquely on the masseter muscle and continues on the M.

depressor labii mandibularis.
- It ramifies in the muscles of the lower lip.

- It gives collateral branches to the buccinator, cutaneous and depressor

labii mandibularis muscles.

8- The vestibulocochlear nerve

- The vestibulocochlear nerve is a sensory nerve concerned with hearing,

position and equilibrium.

Origin:

- It arises superficially from the end of corpus trapezoideum together

with the facial nerve.

- It enters the internal acoustic meatus where it divides into two branches
(the vestibular nerve & the cochlear nerve).
A- The vestibular nerve

- It is concerned with the equilibrium and position of the body.

- It carries a ganglion (the vestibular ganglion).

- It supplies the ampullae of the semicircular ducts, the utricle and

saccule of the internal ear.

B- The cochlear nerve

- It is concerned with hearing.

- It supplies the cochlea at the organ of Corti.

9- Glossopharyngeal nerve

- The glossopharyngeal nerve is a mixed cranial nerve.

Origin:

- It arises superficially by small rootlets from the lateral part of the

ventral surface of the medulla oblongata.

Course

- It emerges from the cranial cavity through the foramen lacerum

caudalis (jugular foramen).

- At the foramen, it carries the petrosal ganglion.

- It then passes rostrally and ventrally on the guttural pouch along the
caudal border of the stylohyoid bone where it divides into 2 branches
(pharyngeal & lingual).

Distribution

The branches of the glossopharyngeal nerve are:-

1- Tympanic nerve
- It arises from the petrosal ganglion.

- It enters the tympanium (cavity of the middle ear) where it forms a

plexus with the sympathetic (tympanic plexus).

- From this plexus branches supply the mucous membrane of the

tympanic cavity and the auditory tube.

- The continuation of the tympanic nerve communicates with a delicate

branch from the geniculate ganglion of the facial nerve to form the lesser
superficial petrosal nerve, which ends in the otic ganglion.

2- Carotid sinus branch

- It passes caudally on the guttural pouch toward the termination of the

common carotid artery where it forms a plexus with branches from the
vagus and the sympathetic (carotid plexus) on the terminal part of the
common carotid artery and its chief branches.

3- A branch of the caudal stylpharyngeal muscle

- It is a very small branch arises from the dorsal border of the

glossopharyngeal nerve and supplies the caudal stylopharyngeal muscle
(the dilator muscle of the pharynx).

4- The pharyngeal branch

- It passes rostrally on the deep face of the stylohyoid bone to share in

the formation of the pharyngeal plexus.

5- The lingual branch

- It is the direct continuation of the nerve.

- It passes along the caudal border of the stylohyoid bone, in front of the
lingofacial artery.
- It then passes on the root of the tongue.

- It supplies the caudal third of the tongue for taste and general
sensations.

- It gives branches to the isthmus faucium, soft palate and the tonsils and
anastmoses with the lingual nerve of the mandibular.

10- The vagus nerve

- The vagus nerve is the longest of the cranial nerves.

Origin:

- It arises superficially from the brain by small rootlets from the lateral of
the ventral surface of the medulla oblongata.

Course:

- It emerges from the cranium through foramen lacerum caudalis (jugular

F.).

- It passes for a short distance with spinal accessory in a fold of guttural

pouch, and then they separate allowing for the passage the hypoglossal n.

- In the jugular foramen, the vagus carries the jugular ganglion which
gives small auricular branches to external ear.

- The vagus nerve then continues caudally and along dorsal border of the
common carotid array, with the cervical sympathetic trunk (in a common
sheath forming the vagosympathetic trunk).

- At the root of neck the vagus & sympathetic separate.

- The right vagus enters the thorax at the angle of the right subclavian &
bicarotid trunk.
- It then continued caudally on the right side of the reaching the dorsal
part of the bifurcation of the trachea where it divides into dorsal &
ventral branches.

- The left vagus enters the thorax on the left side of the esophagus, below
the left subclavius. It reaches the upper part of the left bronchus where it
divides into dorsal & ventral branches.

- The dorsal branches of both sides unite with each other forming the
dorsal oesophageal (vagal) nerve trunk.

- The ventral branches of both sides unite with each other forming the
ventral oesophageal vagal nerve trunk.

- These trunks pass caudally dorsal & ventral to esophagus and enter the
abdominal cavity with esophagus through oesaphageal hiatus of the
diaphragm.

- In the abdomen, the dorsal trunk gives celiac & gastric branches.

- The celiac branch enters the celiacomesenteric ganglia.

- The gastric branch forms caudal gastric plexus on the visceral surface
of the stomach.

- The ventral trunk forms cranial gastric plexus on the partietal surface of
the stomach from which branches pass to 1 st part of duodenum, liver and
pancreas.

- The trunk in thorax gives branches to the esophagus.

Distribution:

1- Pharyngeal branch arises from vagus at the level of the cranial

cervical sympathetic ganglion.
- It passes toward the pharynx to share in the formation of the pharyngeal
plexus.

- The pharyngeal plexus is formed by branches from the last four cranial
nerves (9, 10, 11, and 12), digastric n., cranial laryngeal n., ventral
branch of 1st cervical and sympathetic nerves.

- The plexus supply the muscles of the pharynx & soft palate except the
tensor muscle of the soft palate, which is innervated by the mandibular n.
through the otic ganglion.

2- The cranial laryngeal n. arises caudal to preceding one.

- At its origin from the vagus it presents the homologue of Nodose

ganglion of man.

- It passes on the wall of the pharynx to enter the larynx through the
rostral thyroid foramen (internal branch). It supplies the muscous
membrane of larynx, floor of pharynx and the entrance of esophagus and
anastmoses with recurrent laryngeal nerve.

- Before its entrance, it gives the external branch to cricothyroid muscle.

3- Recurrent or caudal laryngeal n.

- It arises from the vagus in the thorax.

- The right nerve curves around the costocervical trunk & passes
cranially along the right part of the ventral aspect of trachea & continues
along the ventral border of common Carotid artery.

- The left recurrent curves around the aortic arch crossing over the
ligamentum arteriosum & continues cranially along the left part of the
ventral surface of trachea, then the ventral border of common carotid
artery. It enters the larynx to supply the intrinsic laryngeal muscles
except the cricothyroideus M.

- It gives esophageal & tracheal branches.

4- Cardiac branches: these are 2-3 no which with branches from the
recurrent & sympathetic from cardiac plexus that supplies heart & great
vessels.

5- Tracheal & esophageal branches: these with branches of recurrent &

sympathetic form the tracheal & esophgeal plexuses.

6- Bronchial branches with branches from the sympathetic form the

pulmonary plexus at the root of the lung to supply the lung.

Pharyngeal plexus is formed by branches from last 4 cranial nerves

together with branches from – digastric n., cranial laryngeal n., ventral
branch of 1st cervical n. & sympathetic n. the plexus supplies the muscles
of pharynx & soft palate except tensor muscle of palate which is
innervated through otic ganglion (tensor veli palatini).

11- Spinal accessory N. (accessory N.)

- It is a motor nerve

Origin: it arises by two roots (medullary & spinal):

- The medullary root arises by small rootless from the lateral part of the
ventral aspect of the medulla oblongata.

- The spinal root arises from the 1st five segments of the cervical part of
the spinal cord. It enters the cranial cavity through the foramen magnum
to unite with the medullay root.

Course:
- The nerve emerges from the cranium through the foramen lacerum
caudalis (jugular F.).

- It passes caudally with the vagus n. in a fold of the guttural pouch, then
separate form it.

- It is directed toward the atlantic fossa, where it is divided into dorsal &
ventral branches.

- The dorsal branch:

- It receives (or connected with) branches from 2 nd then passes through

the brachiocephalic muscle and continues caudally, in a wavy or zigzag
appearance, along its dorsal border, then on the cervical part of the
serratus ventralis crossing the subclavius and supraspinatus muscles to
end in the thoracic part of M. trapezius.

- In the neck, the dorsal branch of the spinal accessory nerve is covered
by the cervical part of the M. trapezius & gives a branch to
brachiocephalic muscle.

- The ventral branch enters the sternocephalic muscle innervating it.

12- Hypoglossal N.

- The hypoglossal N. is a motor cranial nerve.

Origin:

- It arises superficially from the brain by small rootlets from the caudal
part of the groove lateral to the pyramid of medulla oblongata.

Course

- It emerges from the cranial cavity through hypoglossal foramen.

- It passes at first caudally & ventrally then curves rostrally & ventrally.
- At first it passes between the vagus & accessory nerve. Then continues
rostrally & ventrally parallel to the stylohyoid bone behind the
lingofacial artery to reach the tongue.

Distribution:

- It gives branches to supply the muscles of the tongue (the styloglossus,

genioglossus & hyoglossus) as well as the genohyoid muscle.

- At its beginning, the hypoglossal nerve anastmoses with the ventral

branch of the 1st cervical nerve and with the cranial cervical sympathetic
ganglion & gives branches to the pharyngeal plexus.