Hypoglossal nerve conduction in normal subjects

A nerve conduction method is demonstrated for cranial nerve XII, the hypoglossal nerve. Submandibular surface stimulation is performed while recording over the anterior surface of the tongue. There were 30 normal adult subjects and 60 hypoglossal nerves studied. Evoked response parameters are reported as follows: mean latency 2.2 +/- 0.4 msec, mean amplitude 3.8 +/- 1.6 mV (baseline to peak, best of 5 responses). This nerve conduction method is reliable and should expand the electrophysiological assessment of XII cranial nerve motor function.