Anatomy
accessory nerve
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 HeadingsU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
-
The 11th cranial nerve, which sends motor impulses to the muscles of the upper thorax, back, shoulders, and pharynx.NCI ThesaurusU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
-
(spinal accessory nerve) Neural tree organ, each instance of which supplies some sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles.Foundational Model of AnatomyUniversity of Washington, 2017
Return to OpenMD Medical Dictionary
> A
This content should not be used in place of medically-reviewed decision support reference material or professional medical advice. Some terms may have alternate or updated definitions not reflected in this set. The definitions on this page should not be considered complete or up to date.