SPINAL ACCESSORY Meaning and
Definition
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Spinal accessory refers to the eleventh cranial nerve, also known as the accessory nerve. It is one of the 12 cranial nerves originating from the brain and plays a crucial role in the movement and control of certain muscles in the neck and shoulders.
The spinal accessory nerve has a unique anatomical structure as it is formed by two separate roots emerging from the spinal cord in the upper cervical region. One root arises from the medulla oblongata, which is the lower part of the brainstem, while the other root emerges from the upper spinal cord levels. These roots then unite to form a single nerve, which exits the skull through the jugular foramen and extends down into the neck and cervical region.
The major function of the spinal accessory nerve is to innervate the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles. The sternocleidomastoid muscle allows rotation and flexion of the head and neck, while the trapezius muscle is responsible for shoulder elevation, retraction, and rotation. Furthermore, the spinal accessory nerve also plays a role in swallowing and speaking.
Injuries or disorders affecting the spinal accessory nerve can lead to muscle weakness, impaired coordination, and limited movement in the neck and shoulders. Conditions such as nerve entrapment, trauma, tumors, or neurodegenerative diseases can disrupt the function of this nerve and require medical intervention for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Common Misspellings for SPINAL ACCESSORY
- apinal accessory
- zpinal accessory
- xpinal accessory
- dpinal accessory
- epinal accessory
- wpinal accessory
- soinal accessory
- slinal accessory
- s-inal accessory
- s0inal accessory
- spunal accessory
- spjnal accessory
- spknal accessory
- sponal accessory
- sp9nal accessory
- sp8nal accessory
- spibal accessory
- spimal accessory
- spijal accessory
Etymology of SPINAL ACCESSORY
The word "spinal" is derived from the Latin word "spina", which means "thorn" or "spine". It is associated with the spinal column or the backbone.
The term "accessory" comes from the Latin word "accessorius", which means "additional" or "extra". In this context, it refers to something that is secondary or supplementary.
When combined, "spinal accessory" refers to an additional or extra component related to the spine. In anatomy, it specifically refers to the accessory nerve, which is responsible for controlling certain muscles in the neck and shoulder.
Similar spelling words for SPINAL ACCESSORY
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