Lower cranial nerve

Lower cranial nerves (LCN) include the paired 9th (glossopharyngeal nerve), 10th (vagal), 11th (accessory) and 12th (hypoglossal) cranial nerves.

Particularly the 9th, 10th, and 12th cranial nerves are involved in the execution of crucial physiological functions, such as swallowing, tasting, speech, heart rate and blood pressure control, and peristalsis. In addition to motor fibers, LCN carry sensory fibers and autonomic fibers. LCN are affected in a number of pathologic conditions.