Safari - Aug 7, 2021 at 7:42 AM

Part of the TeachMe Series Sign Up | Log In
TeachMe ( )
Anatomy
The Glossopharyngeal
Nerve (CN IX)
Home / The Head / The Cranial Nerves
/ The Glossopharyngeal Nerve (CN IX)
!!!!!
based on 104 ratings
Original Author(s): Olivia Leafe

Last updated: October 25, 2020
Revisions: 0
' Contents
&
The glossopharyngeal nerve, CN IX, is the ninth paired

cranial nerve. In this article, we shall look at the
anatomical course of the nerve, and the motor, sensory
and parasympathetic functions of its terminal branches.
Embryologically, the glossopharyngeal nerve is

associated with the derivatives of the third pharyngeal
arch.
Sensory: Innervates the oropharynx, carotid body and

sinus, posterior 1/3 of the tongue, middle ear cavity and
Eustachian tube.
Special sensory: Provides taste sensation to the

posterior 1/3 of the tongue.
Parasympathetic: Provides parasympathetic

innervation to the parotid gland.
Motor: Innervates the stylopharyngeus muscle of the

pharynx.
Anatomical Course
The glossopharyngeal nerve originates in
the medulla oblongata of the brain. It emerges from the
anterior aspect of the medulla, moving laterally in the
posterior cranial fossa. The nerve leaves the cranium
via the jugular foramen. At this point, the tympanic
nerve arises. It has a mixed sensory and
parasympathetic composition.
Immediately outside the jugular foramen lie two ganglia

(collections of nerve cell bodies). They are known as the
superior and inferior (or petrous) ganglia – they
contain the cell bodies of the sensory fibres in the
glossopharyngeal nerve.
Now extracranial, the glossopharyngeal nerve descends

down the neck, anterolateral to the internal carotid
artery. At the inferior margin of the stylopharyngeus,
several branches arise to provide motor innervation to
the muscle. It also gives rise to the carotid sinus nerve,
which provides sensation to the carotid sinus and body.
The nerve enters the pharynx by passing between the

superior and middle pharyngeal constrictors. Within
the pharynx, it terminates by dividing into several
branches – lingual, tonsil and pharyngeal.
© By TeachMeSeries Ltd (2021)
Fig 1 – Lateral view of the neck, showing the innervation of the

stylopharyngeus muscle.
Sensory Functions
The glossopharyngeal nerve provides sensory
innervation a variety of structures in the head and neck.
The tympanic nerve arises as the nerve traverses the

jugular foramen. It penetrates the temporal bone and
enters the cavity of the middle ear. Here, it forms the
tympanic plexus – a network of nerves that provide
sensory innervation to the middle ear, internal surface
of the tympanic membrane and Eustachian tube.
At the level of the stylopharyngeus, the carotid sinus

nerve arises. It descends down the neck to innervate
both the carotid sinus and carotid body, which provide
information about blood pressure and oxygen saturation
respectively.
The glossopharyngeal nerve terminates by splitting into

several sensory branches:
Pharyngeal branch – combines with fibres of the

vagus nerve to form the pharyngeal plexus. It
innervates the mucosa of the oropharynx.
Lingual branch – provides the posterior 1/3 of the

tongue with general and taste sensation
Tonsillar branch – forms a network of nerves, known

as the tonsillar plexus, which innervates the palatine
tonsils.
© (c) AnatomyMCQs.com
Fig 2 – Overview of the branches of the glossopharyngeal nerve.
Special Sensory
The glossopharyngeal nerve provides taste
sensation to the posterior 1/3 of the tongue, via its
lingual branch (Note: not to be confused with the lingual
nerve).
Motor Functions
The stylopharyngeus muscle of the pharynx is
innervated by the glossopharyngeal nerve. This muscle
acts to shorten and widen the pharynx and elevate the
larynx during swallowing.
Parasympathetic
Functions
The glossopharyngeal nerve provides parasympathetic
innervation to the parotid gland. These fibres originate
in the inferior salivatory nucleus of CN IX. These fibres
travel with the tympanic nerve to the middle ear. From
the ear, the fibres continue as the lesser petrosal
nerve, before synapsing at the otic ganglion.
The fibres then hitchhike on the auriculotemporal

nerve to the parotid gland, where they have a
secretomotor e!ect.
Remember – although the facial nerve splits into its five

terminal branches in the parotid gland, it is the
glossopharyngeal nerve that actually supplies the gland.
© By TeachMeSeries Ltd (2021)
Fig 3 – Path of the parasympathetic fibres to the parotid gland.
+
Clinical Relevance -
Gag Reflex
The glossopharyngeal nerve supplies sensory
innervation to the oropharynx, and thus carries
the a!erent information for the gag reflex. When
a foreign object touches the back of the mouth,
this stimulates CNIX, beginning the reflex. The
e!erent nerve in this process is the vagus nerve,
CNX.
An absent gag reflex signifies damage to the

glossopharyngeal nerve.
* Print this Article

" Rate this Article
Medicine on the Web
Ads By
Healthcare Marketers Are Now Using

Native Ads Contextually!
Tap Native Health Marketing
Should Canadas View of COVID & Kids

Change With New Variants
CMAJ
Quiz
Results
Well done!
You scored:
100%
Skipped: 0/3
Retake Quiz
# Recommended reading
Novel Oral Anticoagulants in CKD: Ready for Prime

Time?
Justin Ashley Manish M. Sood, Medscape
Olanzapine Substitution Effective in Triple Therapy for

Carboplatin-Induced CINV
Cardiology Advisor, 2020
E- Health Records Fail to Detect Many Medication

Errors
Cardiology Advisor, 2020
Does Appendectomy Reduce the Chance of

Developing Parkinson's?
F. Perry Wilson et al., Medscape
Powered by
$ 3D Model
Our 3D anatomical model provides you with

hands-on, interactive and valuable learning tool
right here on your device. To access the
TeachMeAnatomy 3D Model, you must be a
premium subscriber.
% Sign Up
Already a member?
Log In
TeachMeAnatomy
Part of the TeachMe Series
The medical information on this site is provided as an information resource only,

and is not to beused or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This
information is intended for medical education, and does not create any doctor-
patient relationship, and should not be used as a substitute for professional
diagnosis and treatment. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and
conditions. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should
not enter this site.
! " #
© TeachMe Series 2021 | Registered in England & Wales
Peer Review Team | Advertise with Us | Privacy Policy |

Terms & Conditions | Acceptable Use Policy
:

Safari - Aug 7, 2021 at 7:42 AM

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Safari - Aug 7, 2021 at 7:42 AM

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Safari - Aug 7, 2021 at 7:42 AM

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Part of the TeachMe Series Sign Up | Log In

Original Author(s): Olivia Leafe

The glossopharyngeal nerve, CN IX, is the ninth paired

Embryologically, the glossopharyngeal nerve is

Sensory: Innervates the oropharynx, carotid body and

Special sensory: Provides taste sensation to the

Parasympathetic: Provides parasympathetic

Motor: Innervates the stylopharyngeus muscle of the

Immediately outside the jugular foramen lie two ganglia

Now extracranial, the glossopharyngeal nerve descends

The nerve enters the pharynx by passing between the

© By TeachMeSeries Ltd (2021)

Fig 1 – Lateral view of the neck, showing the innervation of the

The tympanic nerve arises as the nerve traverses the

At the level of the stylopharyngeus, the carotid sinus

The glossopharyngeal nerve terminates by splitting into

Pharyngeal branch – combines with fibres of the

Lingual branch – provides the posterior 1/3 of the

Tonsillar branch – forms a network of nerves, known

Fig 2 – Overview of the branches of the glossopharyngeal nerve.

The fibres then hitchhike on the auriculotemporal

Remember – although the facial nerve splits into its five

© By TeachMeSeries Ltd (2021)

Fig 3 – Path of the parasympathetic fibres to the parotid gland.

An absent gag reflex signifies damage to the

* Print this Article

Healthcare Marketers Are Now Using

Should Canadas View of COVID & Kids

Novel Oral Anticoagulants in CKD: Ready for Prime

Olanzapine Substitution Effective in Triple Therapy for

E- Health Records Fail to Detect Many Medication

Does Appendectomy Reduce the Chance of

Our 3D anatomical model provides you with

The medical information on this site is provided as an information resource only,

© TeachMe Series 2021 | Registered in England & Wales

Peer Review Team | Advertise with Us | Privacy Policy |

You might also like