Where is the recurrent laryngeal nerve located?

The recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN), also known as the inferior laryngeal nerve, is a branch of the vagus nerve (CN X) which has a characteristic loop around the right subclavian artery on the right and the aortic arch on the left before returning up to achieve the tracheoesophageal groove and then the larynx.

Which recurrent laryngeal nerve is most at risk of damage?

The right recurrent laryngeal nerve is more susceptible to damage during thyroid surgery because it is close to the bifurcation of the right inferior thyroid artery, variably passing in front of, behind, or between the branches.

How long does it take for the laryngeal nerve to heal?

On comparing with the existing literature, the majority of the nerves recover function within the first 6 months after surgery.15, 16 However in our cohort, patients undergoing redo surgery had a longer recovery interval with some recovering function as late as 26 months.

Can the recurrent laryngeal nerve heal?

Recurrent or Superior Laryngeal Nerve Injury Most patients with unilateral RLN injury need no definitive intervention and recover from reversible causes within 6 months of surgery. For patients with permanent unilateral RLN injury, surgery can improve voice quality and reduce the risk of aspiration.

What does recurrent laryngeal nerve do?

The recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) branches off the vagus nerve and supplies function to some muscles of the larynx (voice box). You have two, one on each side, as you do with other nerves.

Is the recurrent laryngeal nerve motor or sensory?

Superiorly, sensory and motor innervation are separated by internal and external branches of the superior laryngeal nerves. Inferiorly, the sensory and motor innervation is provided by the recurrent laryngeal nerve.

Can laryngeal nerve damage be repaired?

Superior laryngeal nerve injuries are not repaired, and they are treated with voice rehabilitation. Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury results in vocal cord paralysis in up to 6% of patients. The vocal cord on the injured side is usually fixed in the median position, and the voice is usually—but not always—hoarse.

Where does recurrent laryngeal nerve enter larynx?

Both recurrent laryngeal nerves pass deep to the inferior constrictor muscle and enter the larynx at the junction between the inferior cornu of the thyroid with the cricoid cartilage.

What is the recurrent laryngeal nerve?

Jenny Sweigard, MD, is board-certified in internal medicine. She is an in-patient physician at Novant Health Huntersville Medical Center in North Carolina. The recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) branches off the vagus nerve and supplies function to some muscles of the larynx (voice box).

What is the history of the recurrent larynx?

The Greek physician, Galen of Pergamon (129-210) was the first to describe the RLN as a branch of a cranial nerve and famously demonstrated its role in vocalization when he accidentally cut the recurrent laryngeal nerve of a squealing pig 4.

What causes compression of the left recurrent larynx?

Thyroid masses, mediastinal and lung tumors, as well as cardiovascular lesions, can cause compression or affect the recurrent laryngeal nerve, commonly the left recurrent laryngeal nerve. [8][9]

What is the recurrent nerve?

The Recurrent Nerve ( n. recurrens; inferior or recurrent laryngeal nerve ) arises, on the right side, in front of the subclavian artery; winds from before backward around that vessel, and ascends obliquely to the side of the trachea behind the common carotid artery, and either in front of or behind the inferior thyroid artery.