Glossopharyngeal nerve

The glossopharyngeal nerve is the ninth of twelve cranial nerves. It exits the brainstem out from the sides of the upper medulla, just rostral (closer to the nose) to the vagus nerve.

Related Topics:
Cranial nerves - Medulla - Vagus nerve

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

There are a number of functions of the glossopharyngeal nerve:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• It receives sensory fibres from the posterior 2/3 of the tongue, the tonsils, the pharynx, the middle ear and the carotid body.
• It supplies parasympathetic fibres to the parotid gland via the otic ganglion.
• It also supplies motor fibres to stylopharyngeus muscle and the upper pharyngeal muscles.
 
Glossopharyngeal nerve: Brainstem connections ►