Anatomy
accessory nerve Audio
ac·ces·so·ry nerve
Subclass of:
Cranial Nerves
Definitions related to accessory nerve:
  • The 11th cranial nerve which originates from NEURONS in the MEDULLA and in the CERVICAL SPINAL CORD. It has a cranial root, which joins the VAGUS NERVE (10th cranial) and sends motor fibers to the muscles of the LARYNX, and a spinal root, which sends motor fibers to the TRAPEZIUS and the sternocleidomastoid muscles.
    NLM Medical Subject Headings
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
  • The 11th cranial nerve, which sends motor impulses to the muscles of the upper thorax, back, shoulders, and pharynx.
    NCI
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • (spinal accessory nerve) Neural tree organ, each instance of which supplies some sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles.
    Foundational Model of Anatomy
    University of Washington, 2017
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