The nervus laryngeus inferior, also known as the recurrent laryngeal nerve, is a branch of the vagus nerve located in the neck area. It is responsible for innervating the intrinsic muscles of the larynx, which play a crucial role in vocal production and sound modulation. The nervus laryngeus inferior provides motor and sensory functions to the laryngeal muscles and mucous membranes.
Motor innervation from the nervus laryngeus inferior controls the movements of the vocal folds, regulating their tension and position during speech. It supplies the muscles involved in adducting (closing) the vocal folds, such as the thyroarytenoid and lateral cricoarytenoid muscles, allowing for phonation. Additionally, it innervates the largest intrinsic laryngeal muscle, the vocalis muscle, assisting in fine vocal adjustments.
Sensory innervation from the nervus laryngeus inferior provides important feedback regarding the laryngeal mucosa’s condition, temperature, and position. It supplies sensory fibers to the laryngeal mucous membranes, including the vocal folds, trachea, and subglottic region. These fibers allow for the sensation of touch, pain, and temperature, which play a role in protecting the airway and triggering reflexes.
The nervus laryngeus inferior has a complex and intricate course, often varying between individuals. In its typical location, it descends in the neck, looping around the aorta on the left side or the subclavian artery on the right side before ascending back to the larynx. This looping pattern makes it vulnerable to injury during surgical procedures in the neck and chest. Damage to the nervus laryngeus inferior can result in
