Is Hypoglossal a Medical Term?

Nerve, hypoglossal: The hypoglossal nerve is the twelfth cranial nerve. The hypoglossal nerve supplies the muscles of the tongue. ... (The Greek "hypo-", under and "-glossal" from A"glossa", the tongue = under the tongue).

What does the word hypoglossal mean in medical terms?

: either of the 12th and final pair of cranial nerves which are motor nerves arising from the medulla oblongata and supplying muscles of the tongue in higher vertebrates. — called also hypoglossal.

What is hypoglossal?

The hypoglossal nerve enables tongue movement. It controls the hyoglossus, intrinsic, genioglossus and styloglossus muscles. These muscles help you speak, swallow and move substances around in your mouth.