Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

The existence of hypoglossal root ganglion cells in adult humans: potential clinical implications

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

Ganglion cells of the hypoglossal nerve (HN) have been confirmed in certain animals but have been thought not to be present in man. To investigate for the presence of these structures in adult humans and if present, to verify their functionality, the present study was performed.

Materials and methods

We harvested adult cadaveric HN and observed for ganglion cells. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses were performed on all specimens.

Results

Ganglion cells were found in 33% of specimens. Using immunohistochemistry, we found that these ganglia were sympathetic in nature. Based on our findings, ganglion cells do exist in the human HN although they are located sporadically and are found inconstantly.

Conclusions

Such information may be valuable in elucidating other functions of the HN and may aid in the histological diagnosis of this nerve. Additionally, pathology involving HN such as paragangliomas, are supported by our findings of the presence of autonomic ganglion cells in some HN specimens.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Bademci G, Yaşargil MG (2006) Microsurgical anatomy of the hypoglossal nerve. J Clin Neurosci 13:841–847

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Ernyei S (1937) Ein Beitrag zur Kenntnis der Nerven und Ganglion der Zunge. Anat Anz 83:274–281

    Google Scholar 

  3. Froriep A (1882) Ueber ein Ganglion des Hypoglossus und Wirbelanlagen in der Occipitalregion. Beitrag zur Entwickelungsgeschichte des Säugethierkopfes. Archiv Anat Physiol, Anat 15(Abt):S279–S302

    Google Scholar 

  4. Froriep A, Beck W (1895) Ueber des Vorkommen dorsaler Hypoglossus-wurzeln mit Ganglion in der Reihe der Säugethiere. Anat Anz 10:688–696

    Google Scholar 

  5. Gairns FW, Garven HSD (1952) Ganglion cells in the mammalian tongue. J Physiol 118:53–54

    Google Scholar 

  6. Geffen R, Goldstein RS (1996) Rescue of sensory ganglia that are programmed to degenerate in normal development: evidence that NGF modulates proliferation of DRG cells in vivo. Dev Biol 178:51–62

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. His W (1888) Centralen u. peripherischen Nervenbahren beim menschlichen Embryo. Abhandl math-phys. Cl. Kgl. Sachs. Ges. Wiss. 14

  8. Hunter RP (1935) The early development of the hypoglossal musculature in the chick. J Morphol 57:473–495

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Lim TM, Lunn ER, Keynes RJ (1987) The differing effects of occipital and trunk somites on neural development in the chick embryo. Development 100:525–533

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. O’Rahilly R, Müller F (1984) The early development of the hypoglossal nerve and occipital somites in staged human embryos. Am J Anat 169:237–257

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Pearson AA (1939) The hypoglossal nerve in human embryos. J Comp Neurol 71:21–39

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Rogers KT (1965) Development of the XIth or spinal accessory nerve in the chick, with some notes on the hypoglossal and upper cervical nerves. J Comp Neurol 125:273–286

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Salame K, Masharawi Y, Rochkind S, Arensburg B (2006) Surgical anatomy of the cervical segment of the hypoglossal nerve. Clin Anat 19:37–43

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Shintani T, Oyake D, Kanayama R, Takakuwa T, Koizuka I (2002) Rare localization of paraganglioma in head and neck. Auris Nasus Larynx 30:S149–S152

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Streeter GL (1904) The development of the cranial and spinal nerves in the occipital region of the human embryo. Am J Anat 4:83–116

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Takeuchi Y, Hayakawa T, Ozaki HS, Kito J, Satoda T, Matsushima R (1990) Afferent fibers in the hypoglossal nerve: a horseradish peroxidase study in the cat. Brain Res Bull 24:81–87

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Tarkhan Abd-El-Malek (1947) Sensory fibers in the hypoglossal nerve. J Anat 81:23–32

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Tubbs RS, Loukas M, Remy AC, Shoja MM, Salter EG, Oakes WJ (2007) The vertebral nerve revisited. Clin Anat 20:644–647

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Wozniak W, Young PA (1968) Nerve cells in the extracranial portion of the hypoglossal nerve in human fetuses. Anat Rec 162:517–522

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Wozniak W, Young PA (1969) Further observations on human hypoglossal nerve. Anat Anz 125:203–205

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Wozniak W, Bruska M (1996) Sources of afferent fibers from the tongue muscles. Folia Morphol 55:129–132

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Yasuda K, Mori R, Tanaka M, Nakayama Y, Tanaka S, Kumai T, Matsuhashi H, Kondo E, Yamaoka M, Furusawa K (2003) Evidence of parasympathetic postganglionic neurons in the rat hypoglossal nerve trunk. Exp Brain Res 153:302–309

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Yee J, Harrision F, Corbin KB (1939) The sensory innervation of the spinal accessory and tongue musculature in the rabbit. Anat Rec 70:305–314

    Google Scholar 

  24. Yousry I, Moriggi B, Schmid UD, Wiesman M, Fesl G, Bruckmann H, Naidich TP, Yousry TA (2002) Detailed anatomy of the intracranial segment of the hypoglossal nerve: neurovascular relationships and landmarks on magnetic resonance imaging sequences. J Neurosurg 96:1113–1122

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Weber EL, Odom GL (1969) Paradoxical response to peripheral hypoglossal nerve section. J Neurosurg 30:186–189

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Pediatric Neurosurgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA

    R. Shane Tubbs & W. Jerry Oakes

  2. Department of Anatomical Sciences, St George’s University, St George’s, Grenada

    Diala El-Zammar & Marios Loukas

  3. University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA

    Mark E. Rogers

  4. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children’s Hospital, Birmingham, AL, USA

    David R. Kelly & Gina D. Chua

  5. Trinity Medical Center, Birmingham, AL, USA

    Robert Lott

  6. Tuberculosis and Lung Disease Research Center, Tabriz University (Medical Sciences), Tabriz, Iran

    Mohammadali M. Shoja

  7. Clarian Neuroscience Institute and Indianapolis Neurosurgical Group, Indianapolis, IN, USA

    Aaron A. Cohen-Gadol

  8. Department of Neurosurgery, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA

    Aaron A. Cohen-Gadol

  9. Pediatric Neurosurgery, Children’s Hospital, 1600 7th Avenue South ACC 400, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA

    R. Shane Tubbs

Authors
  1. R. Shane Tubbs
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Diala El-Zammar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Mark E. Rogers
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. David R. Kelly
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Robert Lott
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Gina D. Chua
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Mohammadali M. Shoja
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Marios Loukas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. W. Jerry Oakes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Aaron A. Cohen-Gadol
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to R. Shane Tubbs.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Tubbs, R.S., El-Zammar, D., Rogers, M.E. et al. The existence of hypoglossal root ganglion cells in adult humans: potential clinical implications. Surg Radiol Anat 31, 173–176 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-008-0422-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-008-0422-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation