Cranial nerve IX

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Cranial Nerve IX

Cranial nerve IX, also known as the glossopharyngeal nerve.

The Cranial Nerve IX, also known as the Glossopharyngeal Nerve, is the ninth of twelve paired cranial nerves. It exits the brainstem out from the sides of the upper medulla, just anterior (closer to the nose) to the vagus nerve.

Function[edit | edit source]

The glossopharyngeal nerve is a mixed nerve that carries afferent sensory and efferent motor information. It receives sensory information from the tonsils, the pharynx, the middle ear and the posterior one-third of the tongue. The glossopharyngeal nerve also supplies parasympathetic fibers to the parotid gland via the otic ganglion.

Structure[edit | edit source]

The glossopharyngeal nerve is composed of several rootlets which emerge from the medulla oblongata, pass through the jugular foramen and proceed to their respective destinations.

Clinical significance[edit | edit source]

Damage to the glossopharyngeal nerve can result in loss of taste sensation to the posterior one-third of the tongue, and impaired swallowing.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


External links[edit | edit source]


Wiki.png

Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD


Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.

Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD