Hypoglossal canal

Hypoglossal Canal

The Hypoglossal Canal is an important anatomical structure in the human skull. It is a bony canal that transmits the hypoglossal nerve from the brain to the tongue. The canal is located in the occipital bone of the skull, and it is named for the nerve that passes through it.

Etymology

The term "hypoglossal" is derived from the Greek words "hypo", meaning under, and "glossa", meaning tongue. This is a reference to the function of the hypoglossal nerve, which controls the movements of the tongue.

Anatomy

The hypoglossal canal is a paired structure, with one canal located on each side of the skull. Each canal is approximately 7mm in length and 2mm in diameter. The canals begin at the base of the skull, in the posterior cranial fossa, and they exit on the outer surface of the occipital bone, near the condyles.

The canals are formed by two parts of the occipital bone: the basioccipital and the exoccipital. The basioccipital forms the anterior wall and floor of the canal, while the exoccipital forms the posterior wall and roof.

Function

The primary function of the hypoglossal canal is to provide a pathway for the hypoglossal nerve. This nerve is the twelfth cranial nerve, and it is responsible for controlling the movements of the tongue. The nerve originates in the brainstem, passes through the hypoglossal canal, and then innervates the muscles of the tongue.

Clinical Significance

The hypoglossal canal is of clinical significance in several medical conditions. For example, in cases of hypoglossal nerve palsy, the nerve can be damaged as it passes through the canal. This can result in difficulty speaking and swallowing, as well as tongue weakness or paralysis.

In addition, the size of the hypoglossal canal can be used as an indicator of certain medical conditions. For example, a larger than normal canal can be a sign of neurofibromatosis type 2, a genetic disorder that causes tumors to form on nerve tissue.

See Also

• Cranial nerves
• Occipital bone
• Hypoglossal nerve

References

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