cranial nerve XII palsy

Last reviewed 12/2022

Hypoglossal nerve palsy is paralysis of the twelfth cranial nerve.

The hypoglossal nerve supplies the motor component to the tongue and the hyoid depressors.

The function of the hypoglossal nerve is assessed as follows:

• tongue movements to command - from side to side, etc. the hemi-denervated tongue deviates towards the side of the lesion
• finer control is demonstrated by the ability to say "la" and "ta"