- Internal laryngeal nerve
Infobox Nerve
Name = PAGENAME
Latin = ramus internus nervi laryngei superioris
GraySubject = 205
GrayPage = 912
Caption = Course and distribution of the glossopharyngeal, vagus, and accessory nerves. (Internal branch of superior laryngeal labeled at center right.)
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BranchFrom =superior laryngeal nerve
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DorlandsPre = r_02
DorlandsSuf = 12690381
The internal laryngeal nerve is the internal branch (ramus internus) of thesuperior laryngeal nerve . It descends to thehyothyroid membrane , pierces it in company with thesuperior laryngeal artery , and is distributed to themucous membrane of thelarynx .Of these (sensory) branches some are distributed to the
epiglottis , the base of thetongue , and theepiglottic glands ; others pass backward, in thearyepiglottic fold , to supply the mucous membrane surrounding the entrance of the larynx, and that lining the cavity of the larynx as low down as the vocal folds.A filament descends beneath the mucous membrane on the inner surface of the
thyroid cartilage and joins therecurrent nerve .Above the vocal folds the sensory innervation of the larynx is via the internal laryngeal nerve. Below the vocal folds it is by way of branches of the
recurrent laryngeal nerve .Pathology
Irritation of the internal laryngeal nerve results in uncontrolled coughing - usually as a result of food or water in the
laryngopharynx .Additional images
External links
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