Thyroid & Suprarenal Glands: Page 3 of 6
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| Posterior thyroid Tap on image to enlarge |
| Add the vagus nerve, which is cranial nerve ten - CN X and closely adheres to the carotid arteries. | |
| Add the recurrent laryngeal nerves, which are a branches of the vagal nerve. |
What is the clinical significance of this nerve during thyroid surgery? |
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It innervates the larynx. |
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What would result from injury to this nerve? |
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Vocal cord dysfunction. |
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Why does the left recurrent laryngeal nerve wrap around the aortic arch? |
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This is a result of the embryologic formation of the aortic arches and will be discussed in more detail during your CPR course. Likewise, the aortic arches also determine the path of the right recurrent laryngeal nerve. Try to find these nerves on the cadaver. |
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