Course
1. Arises in medulla
2. Passes through hypoglossal canal beside foramen magnum
3. Courses downward with neurovascular structures
  1. Internal Carotid Artery
  2. Jugular vein
  3. Vagus Nerve
4. Curves forward behind mandible to lingual root
Physiology
1. Motor Nerve to the Tongue
Exam
1. Patient protrudes Tongue in midline
  1. Unilateral paralysis causes deviation to weak side
  2. Observe for Tremor, atrophy, fasciculations
2. Test lingual speech, by having patient say:
  1. "Round the rugged rock the ragged rascal ran"
  2. "Third riding artillery brigade"

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This page was written by Scott Moses, MD, and was last revised 1/26/2008. Please send comments and questions to the editor. Contact information may be found on the page About the Family Practice Notebook. These pages are best viewed with Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0.