Speaking the same anatomical language: standardizing laryngeal nerve terminology matters in anatomy and medicine

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify the most appropriate terminology for the nerve commonly referred to as the "recurrent laryngeal nerve" or "inferior laryngeal nerve", based on official anatomical nomenclatures. Additionally, it sought to analyze the frequency of use of these terms in scientific literature and provide a detailed anatomical description of the nerve to promote terminological accuracy in academic and clinical settings. METHODS: A descriptive analysis was conducted in three phases. First, a literature search was performed in MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, LILACS, SciELO, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar, alongside a review of major anatomical textbooks, to quantify the usage of both terms. Second, theTerminologia Anatomica (TA) and Terminologia Neuroanatomica (TNA) were consulted to identify the officially sanctioned term. Third, a comprehensive description of the nerve's anatomy, function, and clinical significance was compiled from authoritative sources. RESULTS: The term "recurrent laryngeal nerve" was overwhelmingly predominant in all searched scientific databases and modern anatomical textbooks. For instance, MEDLINE/PubMed yielded 1,828 articles using this term in the title, compared to only 111 for "inferior laryngeal nerve". Both the TA and TNA exclusively recognize "N. laryngeus recurrens", translated as "recurrent laryngeal nerve", as the official designation. The term "inferior laryngeal" in current nomenclatures is reserved for vascular structures, namely the inferior laryngeal artery and vein. CONCLUSION: The correct and internationally accepted term is "recurrent laryngeal nerve". The consistent use of standardized terminology is crucial for precise communication in education, clinical practice, and research. A thorough understanding of the recurrent laryngeal nerve's anatomical course and variations is essential for minimizing the risk of iatrogenic injury during surgical procedures in the neck, particularly thyroid and parathyroid surgeries.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology, 2026 · DOI ↗