Cranial Nerve XI - Accessory
Anatomy
Below is an image showing the anatomy of Cranial Nerve XI in relation to the other nerves.
The image is taken and modified from the Wiki Commons under the Creative Commons License.
Type
Mainly motor but some sensory. The motor portion consists of a cranial root and a spinal root.
Origins & Insertions
| Nerve | Origin | Insertion |
| Sensory Portion | Proprioceptors in muscles of the pharynx, larynx and soft palate | Medulla |
| Cranial Root (Motor) | Medulla | Muscles of the pharynx, larynx and soft palate |
| Spinal Root (Motor) | Anterior gray horn of the first five cervical segments of the spinal cord. | Sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles |
Foramen
The Jugular Foramen (as shown below)
Image taken and modified from Flickr under the Creative Commons License
Function
The Sensory Portion functions to;
- provide proprioception for the pharynx, larynx and soft palate
The Motor Portion (Cranial Root) mediates;
- swallowing movements
The Motor Portion (Spinal Root) mediates;
- movement of the head and shoulders