Glossopharyngeal Nerve Flashcards

Explore the glossopharyngeal nerve's medullary nuclei, skull exit, sensory and motor branches, parasympathetic pathways, and clinical anatomy.

Card 1 of 30Question

What is the numerical designation of the glossopharyngeal nerve?

Cranial nerve IX (CN IX).

In This Section

1. What is the numerical designation of the glossopharyngeal nerve?

Cranial nerve IX (CN IX).

2. What is the functional classification of the glossopharyngeal nerve?

A mixed cranial nerve carrying sensory, branchial motor, and parasympathetic fibers.

3. From which part of the brainstem does the glossopharyngeal nerve emerge?

The postolivary sulcus of the rostral medulla oblongata.

4. Through which skull opening does the glossopharyngeal nerve exit?

The jugular foramen.

5. What are the two sensory ganglia of the glossopharyngeal nerve?

The superior (jugular) ganglion and inferior (petrosal) ganglion.

6. Which medullary nucleus provides branchial motor fibers to the glossopharyngeal nerve?

The nucleus ambiguus.

7. Which nucleus provides preganglionic parasympathetic fibers to the glossopharyngeal nerve?

The inferior salivatory nucleus.

8. Which nucleus receives taste information carried by the glossopharyngeal nerve?

The rostral portion of the nucleus of the solitary tract.

9. Which nucleus receives general somatic sensory fibers from the glossopharyngeal nerve?

The spinal trigeminal nucleus.

10. Which muscle receives branchial motor innervation from the glossopharyngeal nerve?

The stylopharyngeus muscle.

11. What is the action of the stylopharyngeus muscle?

It elevates the pharynx and larynx during swallowing and speaking.

12. Between which two muscles does the glossopharyngeal nerve pass as it approaches the pharynx?

The superior and middle pharyngeal constrictor muscles.

13. Which part of the tongue receives general sensation from the glossopharyngeal nerve?

The posterior one-third of the tongue.

14. Which cranial nerve carries taste sensation from the posterior one-third of the tongue?

The glossopharyngeal nerve.

15. Which cranial nerve supplies general sensation to the palatine tonsil and much of the oropharynx?

The glossopharyngeal nerve, through its tonsillar and pharyngeal branches.

16. Which branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve supplies sensory fibers to the middle ear?

The tympanic nerve, also called Jacobson's nerve.

17. What is the tympanic plexus?

A nerve network on the promontory of the middle ear formed by the tympanic nerve and caroticotympanic sympathetic fibers.

18. Which nerve carries preganglionic parasympathetic fibers from the tympanic plexus toward the otic ganglion?

The lesser petrosal nerve.

19. Where do parasympathetic fibers from the glossopharyngeal nerve synapse?

In the otic ganglion of the infratemporal fossa.

20. Which nerve carries postganglionic secretomotor fibers from the otic ganglion to the parotid gland?

The auriculotemporal nerve, a branch of the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve.

21. Which branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve carries sensory information from the carotid sinus and carotid body?

The carotid sinus nerve, also called Hering's nerve.

22. What sensory function is associated with the carotid sinus?

Detection of changes in arterial blood pressure by baroreceptors.

23. What sensory function is associated with the carotid body?

Detection of changes in arterial oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH by chemoreceptors.

24. Which portion of the nucleus of the solitary tract receives visceral sensory input from the carotid sinus and carotid body?

The caudal visceral sensory portion.

25. What is the role of the glossopharyngeal nerve in the gag reflex?

It provides the principal afferent limb, carrying sensation from the posterior pharynx.

26. Which cranial nerve provides the principal efferent limb of the gag reflex?

The vagus nerve (cranial nerve X).

27. What is glossopharyngeal neuralgia?

Episodes of severe, brief, stabbing pain in the throat, tonsillar region, tongue base, or deep ear.

28. Why is the glossopharyngeal nerve at risk during tonsillectomy?

Its lingual branches pass close to the tonsillar bed and may be injured during deep dissection.

29. Which syndrome can involve the glossopharyngeal, vagus, and accessory nerves at the jugular foramen?

Vernet syndrome, also called jugular foramen syndrome.

30. How can unilateral glossopharyngeal nerve dysfunction affect taste?

It may reduce or abolish taste sensation on the ipsilateral posterior one-third of the tongue.