Accessory Nerve (also known as Accessory Nerves, Nerve, Accessory): The 11th cranial nerve which originates from NEURONS in the MEDULLA and in the CERVICAL SPINAL CORD. It has a cranial root, which joins the VAGUS NERVE (10th cranial) and sends motor fibers to the muscles of the LARYNX, and a spinal root, which sends m

NIH MeSH · D000055Anatomy

Accessory Nerve

Also known asAccessory Nerves · Nerve, Accessory · Nerves, Accessory · Cranial Nerve XI · Eleventh Cranial Nerve · Cranial Nerve, Eleventh · Cranial Nerves, Eleventh · Eleventh Cranial Nerves · Nerve, Eleventh Cranial · Nerves, Eleventh Cranial · Nerve XI · Nerve XIs

Definition

The 11th cranial nerve which originates from NEURONS in the MEDULLA and in the CERVICAL SPINAL CORD. It has a cranial root, which joins the VAGUS NERVE (10th cranial) and sends motor fibers to the muscles of the LARYNX, and a spinal root, which sends motor fibers to the TRAPEZIUS and the sternocleidomastoid muscles.

MeSH classification

  • A08.800.800.120.060

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Related concepts

Abducens Nerve

The 6th cranial nerve which originates in the ABDUCENS NUCLEUS of the PONS and sends motor fibers to the lateral rectus muscles of the EYE. …

Common questions about Accessory Nerve

What does Accessory Nerve mean in medicine?
The 11th cranial nerve which originates from NEURONS in the MEDULLA and in the CERVICAL SPINAL CORD. It has a cranial root, which joins the VAGUS NERVE (10th cranial) and sends motor fibers to the muscles of the LARYNX, and a spinal root, which sends motor fibers to the TRAPEZIUS and the sternocleidomastoid muscles. This definition is taken from the National Library of Medicine's MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) 2026 release, which is the standard vocabulary used to index PubMed and most medical literature.
Is Accessory Nerve known by any other names?
Yes. Accessory Nerve is also referred to as Accessory Nerves, Nerve, Accessory, Nerves, Accessory, Cranial Nerve XI in different clinical, research and patient-facing contexts. The MeSH descriptor groups all of these synonyms under a single canonical concept so research and records stay consistent.
Where does Accessory Nerve sit in the medical classification?
Accessory Nerve falls under the broader medical category "Anatomy" in the MeSH hierarchy (tree numbers: A08.800.800.120.060). Browsing the related concepts on this page takes you to neighbouring topics in the same branch of medicine.
Where can I get a plain-language explanation of Accessory Nerve?
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Source: NIH MeSH 2026 (D000055) — National Library of Medicine, public domain. View official MeSH record ↗