The glossopharyngeal nerve is involved in taste, salivation, swallowing, and speech.
It also provides nerve supply to the tonsils and middle ear and regulates blood flow to the brain.
It then gives off a branch called thetympanic nerve, which goes through thetemporal boneto reach the middle ear.
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Knowing about them can also help diagnose problems with nerve function.
That’s especially important during surgery in that area to keep the nerve fibers from being cut.
Sensory Function
The glossopharyngeal nerve plays a sensory role in numerous important structures.
In the middle ear, via its tympanic branch, it becomes part of the tympanic plexus.
The tonsillar branch supplies sensation to the tonsils.
Specialized Sensory Function
The lingual branch performs the specialized task of transmitting taste information to your brain.
Motor Function
The glossopharyngeal nerve provides motor function to the stylopharyngeus muscle.
Parasympathetic Function
The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems are part of theautonomic nervous system.
They work to counterbalance each other.
The “fight-or-flight” response to danger or stress comes from sympathetic activity.
This is part of the parasympathetic nervous system because saliva is involved in the digestive process.
Associated Conditions
Problems with the glossopharyngeal nerve can impact all of the processes it’s involved with.
In some cases, damage to the nerve may heal on its own over time.
The cause of glossopharyngeal neuralgia is often never determined.
In those cases, the goal of treatment is to manage symptoms.
Standard neuralgia treatments include antidepressants and anticonvulsants.Sometimes, surgery may be needed.
Anatomy Next.Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX).
TeachMeAnatomy.com.The glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX).
Thomas K, DasNeuroanatomy JM.Cranial nerve 9 (Glossopharyngeal).
Snyder DJ, Bartoshuk LM.Oral sensory nerve damage: Causes and consequences.Rev Endocr Metab Disord.
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