Thyroidectomy with Iatrogenic Laryngeal Nerve Resection Surgery. This medical illustration series compares normal thyroid anatomy with one that was damaged during thyroid lobe removal. It shows the anatomical paths of the nerves in this region, labeling the vagus (CN X) and recurrent laryngeal nerves. Two surgical images reveal the incision into the throat, and an intra-operative view identifying the discovery of the severed stump of the right recurrent laryngeal nerve.