Hypoglossal nucleus

The hypoglossal nucleus is a cranial nerve nucleus, found within the medulla. Being a motor nucleus, it is close to the midline. In the open medulla, it is visible as what is known as the hypoglossal trigone, a raised area (medial to the vagal trigone) protruding slightly into the fourth ventricle.

Hypoglossal nucleus
Section of the medulla oblongata. (Hypoglossal nucleus visible top left.)
The cranial nerve nuclei schematically represented; dorsal view. Motor nuclei in red; sensory in blue. (XII labeled at bottom left.)
Details
Identifiers
Latin	nucleus nervi hypoglossi
NeuroNames	757
NeuroLex ID	birnlex_2644
TA98	A14.1.04.227
TA2	6010
FMA	54505
Anatomical terms of neuroanatomy [edit on Wikidata]

The hypoglossal nucleus is located between the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus and the midline of the medulla. Axons from the hypoglossal nucleus pass anteriorly through the medulla forming the hypoglossal nerve which exits between the pyramid and olive in a groove called the anterolateral sulcus.

See also

• Hypoglossal nerve

Additional images

• 
  Transverse section of medulla oblongata below the middle of the olive.
• 
  Nuclei of origin of cranial motor nerves schematically represented; lateral view.
• 
  Micrograph showing the hypoglossal nuclei in relation to their surrounding structures.
• 
  Micrograph showing the hypoglossal nucleus. H&E-LFB stain.

External links

• Atlas image: n2a6p2 at the University of Michigan Health System
• Stained brain slice images which include the "Hypoglossal nucleus" at the BrainMaps project