External laryngeal nerve
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Nerve: External laryngeal nerve | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
||
| Course and distribution of the glossopharyngeal, vagus, and accessory nerves. (External branch of superior laryngeal labeled at center right.) | ||
| Latin | ramus externus nervi laryngei superioris | |
| Gray's | subject #205 912 | |
| From | superior laryngeal nerve | |
| Dorlands/Elsevier | r_02/12690066 | |
The external laryngeal nerve is the smaller, external branch (ramus externus) of the superior laryngeal nerve. It descends on the larynx, beneath the sternothyroid muscle, to supply the cricothyroid muscle.
It gives branches to the pharyngeal plexus and the superior portion of the inferior pharyngeal constrictor, and communicates with the superior cardiac nerve behind the common carotid artery.
[edit] Clinical significance
The external branch is susceptible to damage during thyroidectomy, as it lies immediately deep to the superior thyroid artery.
[edit] External links
- GPnotebook 1328873530
- Maranillo E, León X, Quer M, Orús C, Sañudo J (2003). "Is the external laryngeal nerve an exclusively motor nerve? The cricothyroid connection branch.". Laryngoscope 113 (3): 525-9. PMID 12616208.
- Overview at sprojects.mmi.mcgill.ca
- Norman/Georgetown cranialnerves (X)
 |
This neuroscience article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
