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AnatomyHead and neckNeckSuperior laryngeal nerve
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AnatomyHead and neckNeckSuperior laryngeal nerve

Superior laryngeal nerve

Author: Danijel Tosovic, PhD • Reviewer: Dimitrios Mytilinaios, MD, PhD
Last reviewed: March 18, 2024
Reading time: 1 minute

Recommended video: Vagus nerve [18:13]
Course, branches and nuclei of the vagus nerve.
Superior laryngeal nerve
Nervus laryngeus superior
1/9
Synonyms: Nervus laryngeus cranialis

The superior laryngeal nerve is a branch of the vagus nerve, arising from its inferior ganglion. It also receives some sympathetic branches from the superior cervical ganglion. Within the carotid sheath at approximately the level of the hyoid bone, the superior laryngeal nerve divides into the internal and external laryngeal nerves. 

The internal laryngeal nerve descends down to the thyrohyoid membrane and pierces it, entering the larynx alongside the superior laryngeal artery. It provides sensory innervation to most of the laryngeal mucosa above the vocal folds.

The external laryngeal nerve, which is smaller than the internal branch, pierces and supplies the inferior pharyngeal constrictor on its way down to supply the cricothyroid muscle, the only intrinsic laryngeal muscle not supplied by the recurrent laryngeal nerve. The external laryngeal nerve also gives branches to the pharyngeal plexus. 

Terminology English: Superior laryngeal nerve
Latin: Nervus laryngeus superior
Origin Inferior vagal ganglion
Supply Internal laryngeal branch: laryngeal mucosa above vocal folds
External laryngeal branch: cricothyroid muscle, inferior pharyngeal constrictor, pharyngeal plexus

Learn more about the neurovasculature of the neck with this study unit (and article): 

Neurovasculature of the neck Explore study unit
Neurovasculature of the head and neck Read article

Sources

All content published on Kenhub is reviewed by medical and anatomy experts. The information we provide is grounded on academic literature and peer-reviewed research. Kenhub does not provide medical advice. You can learn more about our content creation and review standards by reading our content quality guidelines.
  • Moore, K. L., Dalley, A. F., & Agur, A. M. R. (2014). Clinically Oriented Anatomy (7th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  • Standring, S. (2016). Gray's Anatomy (41st ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.

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