Case

A 20-year-old patient is admitted to the hospital after thrown from their horse during a gallop along a pathway. The patient struck their head and did not lose consciousness. The patient exhibits difficulty with control of their tongue, but exhibits normal sensation and expressions from the face and scalp, a normal gag reflexes, and is able to swallow. They are are also able to hear instructions and turn their head left and right. You suspect a base of skull fracture and cranial nerve damage.

Question 4/4 - Would you expect other symptoms from an injury to the hypoglossal canal?

Click on your selected option(s) below  (correct = 1, over-thinking = 2+)

Case Complete

Incorrecy. Sensation to the face arises from the trigeminal nerve (V1 via the superior orbital fissure, V2 via foramen rotundum, and V3 via foramen ovale).

Incorrect. Sensation to the pharynx is primarily from the glossopharyngeal nerve which passes through the jugular foramen.

Incorrect. Motor to the pharynx is primarily from the vagus nerve which passes through the jugular foramen.

Incorrect. Lips are controlled by muscles of facial expression, innervated by the facial (VII) nerve that passes into the internal acoustic meatus and emerges from the stylomastoid foramen.

Incorrect. Trapezius (and sternocleidomastoid) muscles are controlled by the accessory nerve which emerges from the jugular foramen.

Correct!  The only cranial nerve passing through the hypoglossal canal is the hypoglossal nerve.