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672
Ansa cervicalis or ansa hypoglossi? A systematic review
Gustavo Henrique Pereira Boog1, Flávio Carneiro Hojaij1, Matheus Mychael Mazzaro Conchy2
1Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), Faculdade de Medicina, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology
|May 30, 2025
Summary
The ansa cervicalis, a nerve loop, should be the correct term used in medical practice. The term ansa hypoglossi is anatomically inaccurate and should be discontinued in favor of ansa cervicalis.
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Neuroscience
Background:
- The ansa cervicalis and hypoglossal nerve are distinct anatomical structures.
- Confusion exists regarding the terminology for the ansa cervicalis, with
Purpose of the Study:
- To review literature on the ansa cervicalis and hypoglossal nerve relationship.
- To clarify the correct terminology for this nerve structure.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review of LILACS and MEDLINE/PUBMED databases.
- Inclusion of six classic anatomy textbooks.
Main Results:
- Analysis of 45 selected articles and six textbooks.
- The ansa cervicalis contains cervical cord fibers, not hypoglossal nerve fibers.
- The relationship is a temporal junction without fiber exchange.
Conclusions:
- The term "ansa cervicalis" is anatomically correct and should be adopted.
- "Ansa hypoglossi" is structurally incorrect and should be abandoned in medical practice, teaching, and publications.
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