Vagus nerve dysfunction may result from the vagus nerve’s inability to properly regulate several physiological functions. The vagus nerves transmit signals to your heart, brain, and digestive system. Your parasympathetic nervous system depends on it. Food not passing through your intestines, or gastroparesis can be caused by vagus nerve damage. Some people with vasovagal syncope faint because of…
Hypoglossal nerve palsy or paralysis is an occasional but clinically serious disorder that results from affecting the hypoglossal nerve (cranial nerve XII). The tongue’s intrinsic and extrinsic muscles, which are mostly supplied by this nerve, are essential for speaking, swallowing, and keeping the airway’s purity. These abilities can be severely impaired by damage to the hypoglossal nerve….
Spinal Accessory Nerve Palsy, also known as Accessory Nerve Palsy, is a neurological condition characterized by the dysfunction of the spinal accessory nerve (cranial nerve XI). This nerve is primarily responsible for innervating the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles, which are essential for head rotation, shoulder elevation, and certain movements of the neck and scapula. Damage…
Introduction The hypoglossal nerve is the 12th paired cranial nerve. Its name is derived from ancient Greek, where ‘hypo’ means under and ‘glossal’ means tongue. Except for the palatoglossus, which is innervated by the vagus nerve, the nerve has a solely somatic motor function, innervating the intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the tongue. The hypoglossal…
Abducens nerve palsy is a disorder where injury to a specific nerve disrupts eye movement and alignment. The abducens nerve, one of the pairs of cranial nerves, regulates the movement of your eyes away from your nose. Abducens nerve palsy is a nerve problem that involves eye muscle control. It makes turning an affected eye…
Introduction The vagus nerve, also known as the 10th cranial nerve or CN X, is one of the longest and most complex nerves in the human body. It starts in the brainstem, travels through the neck, chest, and abdomen, and branches out to the heart, lungs, digestive tract, and even the tongue and ears. The…
Introduction The accessory nerve, also known as cranial nerve XI (CN XI), is one of the 12 cranial nerves in humans. It is considered a motor nerve and primarily innervates the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles, which play crucial roles in head and shoulder movements. It has a cranial and a spinal component, though there is…
What is an Oculomotor Nerve Palsy? An eye condition called oculomotor nerve palsy or oculomotor neuropathy is caused by injury to the third cranial nerve or one of its branches. As the name indicates, the oculomotor nerve provides the majority of the muscles regulating eye movements (four of the six extraocular muscles, excluding only the lateral…
Introduction The glossopharyngeal nerve is also called the ninth cranial nerve (CN IX). It is one of the four cranial nerves, that perform sensory, motor, and parasympathetic functions. It starts from the medulla oblongata and ends in the pharynx. The glossopharyngeal nerve has multiple branches. The tympanic branch supplies the middle ear. The stylopharyngeal branch…
Introduction The vestibulocochlear nerve is also called cranial nerve eight (CN VIII). The vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII) connects the vestibular and cochlear nerves. It is situated within the internal auditory meatus (internal auditory canal). The cochlear nerve controls hearing, while the vestibular nerve controls balance and eye movements. CN VIII injuries are caused by pathological…
