The
hypoglossal nerve is the twelfth
cranial nerve XII, and innervates muscles of the
tongue. The name hypoglossus springs from the fact that its passage is below the
tongue,
hypo meaning "under", and
glossus meaning "tongue", both of which are from
Ancient Greek. The nerve is involved in controlling tongue movements required for speech, food manipulation (i.e. formation of bolus), and swallowing.