Which cranial nerve is responsible for shoulder shrug?

Prepare for the NCLEX with neurological disorders practice quizzes. Study with multiple choice questions and detailed explanations to enhance understanding and performance. Get ready to excel in your exam!

Multiple Choice

Which cranial nerve is responsible for shoulder shrug?

Explanation:
Shoulder shrug is powered by the trapezius muscle, which elevates the shoulders. The motor supply for the trapezius (and the sternocleidomastoid) comes from the spinal accessory nerve. This nerve originates in the upper spinal cord and travels up to innervate those muscles, enabling you to lift the shoulders in a shrug and to rotate the head. The other nerves listed serve different roles—vagus controls many autonomic and laryngeal functions, glossopharyngeal and hypoglossal handle throat/tongue activities—so they don’t mediate the shoulder-shrug movement.

Shoulder shrug is powered by the trapezius muscle, which elevates the shoulders. The motor supply for the trapezius (and the sternocleidomastoid) comes from the spinal accessory nerve. This nerve originates in the upper spinal cord and travels up to innervate those muscles, enabling you to lift the shoulders in a shrug and to rotate the head. The other nerves listed serve different roles—vagus controls many autonomic and laryngeal functions, glossopharyngeal and hypoglossal handle throat/tongue activities—so they don’t mediate the shoulder-shrug movement.

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