CN IX: Glossopharyngeal
On this page:Glossopharyngeal Nerve PalsyMotor PathwayParasympathetic PathwayVisceral Sensory PathwayGeneral Sensory PathwaySpecial Sensory Pathway
Overview
Roles
- Special sensory (taste) - posterior ⅓ of tongue
- Visceral sensory - carotid sinus baroreceptors, carotid body chemoreceptors
- Somatic sensory - external ear, internal tympanic membrane, upper pharynx, posterior ⅓ of tongue
- Somatic motor - stylopharyngeus
- Visceral motor (parasympathetic) - parotid gland
Glossopharyngeal Nerve Palsy
Abnormalities
- Loss of pharyngeal sensation / gag reflex
- Loss of taste of posterior ⅓ of tongue
- Xerostomia (dry mouth)
Causes fo Glossopharyngeal Nerve Palsy
- Tumour
- Infarction
- Base of skull fractureInvolving the jugular foramen
- Diptheria
Motor Pathway
- Cortical Centre
Primary motor cortex (precentral gyrus)Nucleus Ambiguus
MedullaForamen
Jugular foramenGanglia
Superior (jugular) and
inferior (petrous) gangliaDivision
Stylopharyngeal branchMuscles
Stylopharyngeus
Parasympathetic Pathway
- HypothalamusInferior Salivatory Nucleus
MedullaForamen
Jugular foramenSuperior (jugular) and
inferior (petrous) gangliaTympanic NerveTympanic PlexusLesser petrosal nerveOtic ganglionParotid Gland
Visceral Sensory Pathway
- Cardiovascular & Respiratory Centres
Reticular formation and hypothalamusSolitary Nucleus
MedullaForamen
Jugular foramenGanglia
Superior (jugular) and
inferior (petrous) gangliaNerve to sinusReceptors
Carotid sinus baroreceptors, carotid body chemoreceptors
General Sensory Pathway
- Cortical Centre
Primary sensory cortex (postcentral gyrus)Sensory Nucleus
MedullaForamen
Jugular foramenGanglia
Superior (jugular) and
inferior (petrous) gangliaPharyngeal branchReceptors
External ear, internal tympanic membrane, upper pharynx, posterior ⅓ of tongue
Special Sensory Pathway
- Gustatory Cortex
InsulaThalamusSensory Nucleus
MedullaForamen
Jugular foramenGanglia
Superior (jugular) and
inferior (petrous) gangliaLingual branchTaste Receptors
Posterior ⅓ of tongue
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