hypoglossus

H4Y4P3O1G2L1O1S1S1U1S1
US/ˌhaɪ.pəˈɡlɑs.əs/

A form of hypoglossal nerve — Either of the 12th and final pair of cranial nerves which are motor nerves arising from the medulla oblongata and supplying muscles of the tongue in higher vertebrates.

OriginNew Latin hypoglōssus →
Scrabble 20
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Meanings

nounhypoglossus (plural hypoglossi)

plural hypoglossi

  1. alternativeanatomyAlternative form of hypoglossal nerve.

Origin

  1. New Latinhypoglōssus
  2. Englishhypoglossus

Borrowed from New Latin hypoglōssus, clipping of nervus hypoglōssus (“hypoglossal nerve”).

More words from New Latin

Full word history & related roots →

Rhymes & wordplay

Rhymes with hypoglossus

colossusgenioglossushyoglossuspalatoglossusstyloglossus
All rhymes →
Cite this entry
APA

hypoglossus. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/hypoglossus

MLA

“hypoglossus.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/hypoglossus. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “hypoglossus,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/hypoglossus.

Source: hypoglossus on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.