Test the motor function of the hypoglossal nerve

Question 1

Describe and demonstrate how to test the function of the hypoglossal nerve - what would happen if there is any lesion and which muscle is involved in the test?

Answer 1

• Get the patient to stick their tongue out
• If there is deviation from the midline, this is indicative of a lesion on the same side as the one the tongue is deviated towards
• The genioglossus muscle is the one that sticks the tongue out and is innervated by the hypoglossal nerve