Brain/Motor Interaction

See Also: Brain/Motor Interaction | Brain (Cut and Surface View) | Motor/Sensory Brain Cortices | Brain/Sensory Interaction | Stomach and Gallbladder | Male Midsagittal Section | Heart (Surface View) | Lungs (Cut View)

Hypoglossal Nerves (XII)

The "hypoglossal nerves" are the twelfth and final pair of cranial nerves, positioned at the back of the brain and numbered Roman numeral "XII". They arise from the area between the pons at the base of the brain stem and the spinal column and pass into the tongue. These are mostly motor nerves that carry impulses to muscles which move the tongue to assist in speaking, chewing, and swallowing.

Definitions, Pick Points, & Zoom:

III Oculomotor
IV Trochlear
IX Glossopharyngeal
V Trigeminal Mandibular
VI Abducens
VII Facial
VII Nervus Intermedius
X Vagus
XI Accessory
XII Hypoglossal