NERVUS STAPEDIUS Meaning and
Definition
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The nervus stapedius is a small nerve located in the head and neck region that originates in the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII). It specifically arises within the intracranial segment of the facial nerve and branches off near the geniculate ganglion, which is a collection of nerve cell bodies.
The nervus stapedius receives its name due to its role in innervating the stapedius muscle, a tiny skeletal muscle found in the middle ear. This muscle attaches to the stapes bone, one of three small bones in the middle ear responsible for transmitting sound vibrations to the inner ear.
The function of the nervus stapedius is to control the contraction of the stapedius muscle. When activated, the muscle pulls the stapes bone away from the oval window, which dampens sound transmission and protects the delicate structures of the inner ear from loud sounds. This mechanism known as the acoustic reflex helps prevent damage caused by excessively loud noises.
In summary, the nervus stapedius is a branch of the facial nerve that innervates the stapedius muscle in the middle ear. Its function is to protect the inner ear from loud sounds by ensuring the contraction of the stapedius muscle, thus decreasing the transmission of sound vibrations.
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Nerve of the stapedius muscle, a branch of the facial arising in the facial canal and passing forward to the tympanum.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for NERVUS STAPEDIUS
- bervus stapedius
- mervus stapedius
- jervus stapedius
- hervus stapedius
- nwrvus stapedius
- nsrvus stapedius
- ndrvus stapedius
- nrrvus stapedius
- n4rvus stapedius
- n3rvus stapedius
- neevus stapedius
- nedvus stapedius
- nefvus stapedius
- netvus stapedius
- ne5vus stapedius
- ne4vus stapedius
- nercus stapedius
- nerbus stapedius
- nergus stapedius
- nerfus stapedius
Etymology of NERVUS STAPEDIUS
The word "nervus stapedius" is derived from Latin.
"Nervus" means "nerve" in Latin, indicating the specific nerve being referred to.
"Stapedius" is derived from the Latin word "stapes", which means "stirrup". The stapes is one of the small bones located in the middle ear that helps in the transmission of sound vibrations.
Therefore, "nervus stapedius" refers to the nerve associated with the stapedius muscle, which is a small muscle in the middle ear that plays a role in dampening excessive vibrations of the stapes bone to protect the inner ear.
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