The Sensory Gatekeeper of the Larynx: Anatomy and Clinical Importance of the Internal Branch of the Superior Laryngeal Nerve
The internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (IbSLN) plays a critical role in the sensory innervation of the supraglottic larynx. It is essential for protective reflexes such as coughing and swallowing. This nerve is frequently at risk during surgeries involving the cervical region, including...
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Diagnostics |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/13/1711 |
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| author | Alexandra Diana Vrapciu Iulian Brezean Răzvan Costin Tudose Mugurel Constantin Rusu George Triantafyllou Maria Piagkou |
| author_facet | Alexandra Diana Vrapciu Iulian Brezean Răzvan Costin Tudose Mugurel Constantin Rusu George Triantafyllou Maria Piagkou |
| author_sort | Alexandra Diana Vrapciu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (IbSLN) plays a critical role in the sensory innervation of the supraglottic larynx. It is essential for protective reflexes such as coughing and swallowing. This nerve is frequently at risk during surgeries involving the cervical region, including thyroidectomy, carotid endarterectomy, and anterior cervical spine procedures. Injury to the IbSLN may lead to postoperative complications. A comprehensive review of the morphological and topographic characteristics of the IbSLN is presented, focusing on its anatomical course, relationships with key vascular structures, branching patterns, and clinically significant variations. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-91afb06bf73f48c9a7aa811e4ae4f707 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2075-4418 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Diagnostics |
| spelling | doaj-art-91afb06bf73f48c9a7aa811e4ae4f7072025-08-20T03:28:33ZengMDPI AGDiagnostics2075-44182025-07-011513171110.3390/diagnostics15131711The Sensory Gatekeeper of the Larynx: Anatomy and Clinical Importance of the Internal Branch of the Superior Laryngeal NerveAlexandra Diana Vrapciu0Iulian Brezean1Răzvan Costin Tudose2Mugurel Constantin Rusu3George Triantafyllou4Maria Piagkou5Division of Anatomy, Department 1, Faculty of Dentistry, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, RomaniaDepartment of General Surgery, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cantacuzino Clinical Hospital, 030167 Bucharest, RomaniaDivision of Anatomy, Department 1, Faculty of Dentistry, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, RomaniaDivision of Anatomy, Department 1, Faculty of Dentistry, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, RomaniaDepartment of Anatomy, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Anatomy, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, GreeceThe internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (IbSLN) plays a critical role in the sensory innervation of the supraglottic larynx. It is essential for protective reflexes such as coughing and swallowing. This nerve is frequently at risk during surgeries involving the cervical region, including thyroidectomy, carotid endarterectomy, and anterior cervical spine procedures. Injury to the IbSLN may lead to postoperative complications. A comprehensive review of the morphological and topographic characteristics of the IbSLN is presented, focusing on its anatomical course, relationships with key vascular structures, branching patterns, and clinically significant variations.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/13/1711internal branch of the superior laryngeal nervelarynxsuperior laryngeal nervesuperior laryngeal arteryvagus nerve |
| spellingShingle | Alexandra Diana Vrapciu Iulian Brezean Răzvan Costin Tudose Mugurel Constantin Rusu George Triantafyllou Maria Piagkou The Sensory Gatekeeper of the Larynx: Anatomy and Clinical Importance of the Internal Branch of the Superior Laryngeal Nerve Diagnostics internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve larynx superior laryngeal nerve superior laryngeal artery vagus nerve |
| title | The Sensory Gatekeeper of the Larynx: Anatomy and Clinical Importance of the Internal Branch of the Superior Laryngeal Nerve |
| title_full | The Sensory Gatekeeper of the Larynx: Anatomy and Clinical Importance of the Internal Branch of the Superior Laryngeal Nerve |
| title_fullStr | The Sensory Gatekeeper of the Larynx: Anatomy and Clinical Importance of the Internal Branch of the Superior Laryngeal Nerve |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Sensory Gatekeeper of the Larynx: Anatomy and Clinical Importance of the Internal Branch of the Superior Laryngeal Nerve |
| title_short | The Sensory Gatekeeper of the Larynx: Anatomy and Clinical Importance of the Internal Branch of the Superior Laryngeal Nerve |
| title_sort | sensory gatekeeper of the larynx anatomy and clinical importance of the internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve |
| topic | internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve larynx superior laryngeal nerve superior laryngeal artery vagus nerve |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/13/1711 |
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