Accessory Nerve Definition Amongst the twelve pairs of the cranial nerve in the brain, the eleventh pair of cranial nerve (CN11) is called the Accessory Nerve. It supplies innervation to the sternocleidomastoid muscles that helps in tilting and rotating of the head and trapezius muscles that helps in performing various actions such as shoulder elevation and abduction motion (motions […]
Last updated on April 4th, 2018 at 3:43 am
Pharynx Definition The pharynx is a component of the digestive system and respiratory system. It is a soft part above throat that links the nose and mouth to the esophagus, which is the tube that carries the food to the stomach. As part of the digestive systems, its muscular walls support in swallowing process and […]
Last updated on April 4th, 2018 at 3:44 am
What is Brachial Plexus and where is it located? An assorted group of nerve fibers that begins at the root of the neck passes through the axilla (armpit or the underarm) and enters the upper arm of the human body is called Brachial Plexus. It is a useful network of nerve fibers that supply musculature […]
Last updated on March 16th, 2018 at 8:12 am
In the year 1800, Jean Léopold Nicolas Frédéric Cuvier known as the father of paleontology named the twelfth cranial nerve as the Hypoglossal Nerve (Cranial Nerve 12). The term Hypoglossal Nerve comes from the Greek word hypo which means “under” and the Greek word glossa that means “tongue”. The Hypoglossal Nerve (CN 12) innervates the […]
Last updated on April 3rd, 2018 at 11:55 am
Trigeminal Nerve (Cranial Nerve 5) Definition The trigeminal nerve is the biggest and most intricate of the 12 cranial nerves. It is the 5th and most developed cranial nerve with a wide distribution mechanism. This is a mixed nerve performing a gamut of motor somatic and sensitive fibers linked to the face. Primarily, the nerve […]
Last updated on February 12th, 2018 at 12:25 pm
Temporal Fossa Definition The Temporal Fossa is a shallow depression on the temporal region. It is the space on the side of the cranium held by temporal lines. It terminates below at the Zygomatic arch level. (more…)
Last updated on February 12th, 2018 at 10:25 am
What is a Facial Nerve? The Facial Nerve, also known as the Cranial Nerve VII or the CN7 is the pathway of nerves that control the facial expressions. The facial nerves are composed of almost 10,000 neurons. Out of these, 7000 neurons are responsible for the various facial expressions we get to see in an […]
Last updated on February 10th, 2018 at 10:05 am
What is the Pectoralis Major? The pectoralis major is a muscle that is situated in the chest region of the human body. It is a thick, fan-shaped muscle and is the most superficial one in the chest area. The bulk of the chest is made up of the pectoralis major which is why it is […]
Last updated on February 10th, 2018 at 7:45 am
Optic Nerve Definition The optic nerve is the second nerve out of the twelve cranial nerves. It is a sensory paired nerve transmitting visual or sight information from the retina of the eye to the brain. The optic nerve carries the impulses from retina to the brain in the form of images. During the embryonic […]
Last updated on February 5th, 2018 at 5:59 am
Mediastinum Definition The mediastinum is an undefined anatomic space between the lungs that comprises a group of structures within the thorax and principal tissues of the chest excluding the lungs. It contains trachea (a section of the windpipe) heart, esophagus, cardiac nerves, phrenic, thymus, thoracic duct, and other important vessels including the aorta, which is […]
Last updated on April 11th, 2018 at 11:13 am
