Lingual branches of glossopharyngeal nerve

The glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) is one of the twelve cranial nerves that originate from the brainstem. It provides both sensory and motor innervation to various structures in the head and neck regions. One of its important branches is the lingual branch, which plays a crucial role in the innervation of the tongue.

Anatomy

The glossopharyngeal nerve arises from the medulla oblongata, specifically from the posterior aspect of the brainstem. It exits the skull through the jugular foramen alongside the vagus nerve (CN X) and the accessory nerve (CN XI). After exiting the skull, the glossopharyngeal nerve gives rise to several branches, including the lingual branch.

The lingual branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve descends along the posterior border of the stylopharyngeus muscle. It then passes between the superior pharyngeal constrictor and middle pharyngeal constrictor muscles before entering the tongue. Within the tongue, the lingual branch divides into multiple smaller branches, each supplying different regions of the tongue.

Function

The lingual branches of the glossopharyngeal nerve are primarily responsible for providing sensory innervation to the posterior one-third of the tongue. This includes:

• Taste sensation: Received from the circumvallate papillae located at the back of the tongue.
• General sensory information: Includes touch, temperature, and pain from the posterior part of the tongue.

In addition to sensory innervation, the lingual branches also contribute to the motor innervation of the tongue by supplying the styloglossus muscle. This muscle is involved in retracting and elevating the tongue, which is crucial for swallowing and speech production.

Clinical significance

Damage or dysfunction of the lingual branches of the glossopharyngeal nerve can lead to various clinical manifestations:

• Altered taste sensation: Patients may experience a loss of taste or distorted taste perception in the posterior part of the tongue.
• Numbness or tingling: General sensory dysfunction may result in numbness or discomfort in the affected area.
• Motor deficits: Impaired innervation to the tongue muscles can cause difficulties in swallowing (dysphagia), speech articulation, and overall tongue movement. This may lead to problems with controlling food and liquids in the mouth, affecting chewing and swallowing.

Also see

To learn more about the cranial nerves and their functions, explore the following articles:

• Cranial nerves
• Glossopharyngeal nerve
• Tongue anatomy
• Swallowing disorders
• Circumvallate papilla

Gray's Anatomy

• Gray's Anatomy Contents
• Gray's Anatomy Subject Index
• About Classic Gray's Anatomy
• Note to Contributors of Gray's Anatomy
• Glossary of anatomy terms

Anatomy atlases (external)

[1] - Anatomy Atlases

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