The Accessory Nerve – Anatomy, Blood Supply, Functions

Last updated: February 8, 2026Reviewed date: February 8, 2026Reading time: 4 min read
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The accessory nerve is the eleventh of the 12 cranial nerves. It possesses both cranial and spinal root components with the latter originating from the lateral gray matter of the C1 to C5 parts of the spinal cord [rx-rx]. The cervical spine contribution enters the...

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বাংলা রোগী নোট এখনো যোগ করা হয়নি। পোস্ট এডিটরে “RX Bangla Patient Mode” বক্স থেকে সহজ বাংলা সারাংশ যোগ করুন।

এই তথ্য শিক্ষা ও সচেতনতার জন্য। এটি ডাক্তারি পরীক্ষা, রোগ নির্ণয় বা প্রেসক্রিপশনের বিকল্প নয়।

Article Summary

The accessory nerve is the eleventh of the 12 cranial nerves. It possesses both cranial and spinal root components with the latter originating from the lateral gray matter of the C1 to C5 parts of the spinal cord [rx-rx]. The cervical spine contribution enters the skull through the foramen magnum and coalesces with the cranial roots to form a trunk which exits the skull through...

Key Takeaways

  • This article explains Structure in simple medical language.
  • This article explains Function in simple medical language.
Educational health guideWritten for patient understanding and clinical awareness.
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Definition

The accessory nerve is the eleventh of the 12 cranial nerves. It possesses both cranial and spinal root components with the latter originating from the lateral gray matter of the C1 to C5 parts of the spinal cord [–]. The cervical spine contribution enters the skull through the foramen magnum and coalesces with the cranial roots to form a trunk which exits the skull through the jugular foramen [–]. After exiting the skull, the accessory nerve descends into the neck and branches into the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) and trapezius muscles [–].

Structure

The fibres of the spinal accessory nerve originate solely in neurons situated in the upper spinal cord, from where the spinal cord begins at the junction with the medulla oblongata, to the level of about C6.[rx][rx] These fibres join together to form rootlets, roots, and finally the spinal accessory nerve itself. The formed nerve enters the skull through the foramen magnum, the large opening at the skull’s base.[rx] The nerve travels along the inner wall of the skull towards the jugular foramen.[rx] Leaving the skull, the nerve travels through the jugular foramen with the glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves.[rx] The spinal accessory nerve is notable for being the only cranial nerve to both enter and exit the skull. This is due to it being unique among the cranial nerves in having neurons in the spinal cord.[rx]

After leaving the skull, the cranial component detaches from the spinal component. The spinal accessory nerve continues alone and heads backward and downwards. In the neck, the accessory nerve crosses the internal jugular vein around the level of the posterior belly of the digastric muscle. As it courses downwards, the nerve pierces through the sternocleidomastoid muscle while sending it motor branches, then continues down until it reaches the trapezius muscle to provide motor innervation to its upper part.[rx]

Nucleus

The fibres that form the spinal accessory nerve are formed by lower motor neurons located in the upper segments of the spinal cord. This cluster of neurons, called the spinal accessory nucleus, is located in the lateral aspect of the anterior horn of the spinal cord, and stretches from where the spinal cord begins (at the junction with the medulla) through to the level of about C6. The lateral horn of high cervical segments appears to be continuous with the nucleus ambiguus of the medulla oblongata, from which the cranial component of the accessory nerve is derived.[rx]

Function

The accessory nerve supplies the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles. The spinal component of the accessory nerve provides motor control of the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles.[rx] The trapezius muscle controls the action of shrugging the shoulders, and the sternocleidomastoid the action of turning the head.[rx] Like most muscles, control of the trapezius muscle arises from the opposite side of the brain.[rx] Contraction of the upper part of the trapezius muscle elevates the scapula.[rx] The nerve fibers sternocleidomastoid however are thought to change sides twice. This means that the sternocleidomastoid is controlled by the brain on the same side of the body. Contraction of the sternocleidomastoid fibers turns the head to the opposite side, the net effect meaning that the head is turned to the side of the brain receiving visual information from that area.[rx] The cranial component of the accessory nerve, on the other hand, provides motor control to the muscles of the soft palate, larynx, and pharynx.

Motor Function

The spinal accessory nerve innervates two muscles – the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius.

Sternocleidomastoid

  • Attachments – Runs from the mastoid process of the temporal bone to the manubrium (sternal head) and the medial third of the clavicle (clavicular head).
  • Actions – Lateral flexion and rotation of the neck when acting unilaterally, and extension of the neck at the atlanto-occipital joints when acting bilaterally.

Trapezius

  • Attachments – Runs from the base of the skull and the spinous processes of the C7-T12 vertebrae to the lateral third of the clavicle and the acromion of the scapula.
  • Actions – It is made up of upper, middle, and lower fibers. The upper fibres of the trapezius elevate the scapula and rotate it during abduction of the arm. The middle fibres retract the scapula and the lower fibres pull the scapula inferiorly.

References

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Questions to ask
  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
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Care roadmap for: The Accessory Nerve – Anatomy, Blood Supply, Functions

Use this simple roadmap to understand the next safe steps. It is educational and does not replace examination by a doctor.

Go to emergency care if you notice:
  • Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms
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Doctor / service to discuss: Qualified healthcare provider; specialist depends on symptoms and examination.
  1. Step 1

    Check danger signs first

    If danger signs are present, seek emergency care and do not wait for online information.

  2. Step 2

    Record the symptom story

    Write when symptoms started, severity, medicines already taken, allergies, pregnancy status, and test results.

  3. Step 3

    Visit a qualified clinician

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  4. Step 4

    Do only useful tests

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  5. Step 5

    Follow up and return early if worse

    If symptoms worsen, new warning signs appear, or treatment is not helping, return for review quickly.

Rural patient practical tips
  • Take a written symptom diary and all previous prescriptions/test reports.
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Frequently Asked Questions

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