Topographical representation of the hypoglossal nerve branches and tongue muscles in the hypoglossal nucleus of macaque monkeys.

Representation of the hypoglossal nerve branches and tongue muscles was examined in the hypoglossal nucleus of macaques by the horseradish peroxidase method. The nucleus was divided cytoarchitectonically into the medial and lateral divisions at rostral levels, and into the mediodorsal, medioventral, ventral and laterodorsal divisions at caudal levels. The medial, mediodorsal, medioventral and ventral divisions supplied the medial branch. The lateral and laterodorsal divisions supplied the lateral branch. The geniohyoid motoneurons (MN) composed the ventral division. The genioglossus MN were clustered dorsally in the medial division. The hyoglossus and styloglossus MN were located most laterally in the laterodorsal division.