Superior laryngeal nerve

Superior Laryngeal Nerve

The Superior Laryngeal Nerve is a branch of the Vagus Nerve that supplies the muscles and mucosa of the Larynx. It is divided into two branches: the internal laryngeal nerve and the external laryngeal nerve.

Anatomy

The superior laryngeal nerve originates from the Vagus Nerve and descends into the neck. It branches off into the internal and external laryngeal nerves at the level of the Hyoid Bone.

Internal Laryngeal Nerve

The internal laryngeal nerve is the sensory branch. It pierces the Thyroid Cartilage to supply sensation to the larynx above the vocal cords.

External Laryngeal Nerve

The external laryngeal nerve is the motor branch. It descends on the outside of the larynx and supplies the Cricothyroid Muscle, which is responsible for tensioning the vocal cords.

Clinical Significance

Damage to the superior laryngeal nerve can result in a variety of symptoms, including voice changes, difficulty swallowing, and Aspiration Pneumonia. This can occur due to surgery, trauma, or tumors in the neck.

See Also

• Vagus Nerve
• Larynx
• Cricothyroid Muscle
• Aspiration Pneumonia

References

Superior laryngeal nerve Resources
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