Final answer:
Impairment of the right hypoglossal nerve would cause the tongue to deviate to the right when sticking out. This nerve controls tongue movements and its dysfunction can affect speech and swallowing. The deviation also indicates the nerve's damage side.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a person's right hypoglossal nerve is not functioning properly, the consequence during the act of sticking out the tongue can be quite distinct. The hypoglossal nerve, otherwise known as the twelfth cranial nerve, innervates the muscles of the tongue, allowing for coordinated movements necessary for speech and swallowing. Specifically, the genioglossus muscle is responsible for protruding the tongue outward. When the hypoglossal nerve functions correctly on both sides, the tongue should extend straight out.
However, if the right hypoglossal nerve is damaged or impaired, the tongue will deviate to the right side when a person attempts to stick it out. This lateral movement towards the impaired side points to the side where the nerve injury or dysfunction is located. In addition to affecting tongue movement, hypoglossal nerve damage can impact speech, swallowing, and can indicate potential issues with adjacent neural structures, including those involved with cardiovascular and respiratory regulation, as well as digestion.