A brief study material of glossophrayngeal nerve its relations and courses and importance on dentistry with diagrams and references in relation to dentistry.

1. By
Dr Gejo johns B.DS, MDS
GLOSSOPHARYNGEAL
NERVE
Gloss pharyngeal nerve by Dr Gejo Johns
1

2. Introduction
 Gloss pharyngeal nerve is the ninth
cranial nerve.
 It is the nerve of the third brachial
arch.
 It is motor to the stylopharyngeus .It is
secreto motor to the parotid gland and
gustatory to the posterior one third of the
tongue including circumvallate papilla
Gloss pharyngeal nerve by Dr Gejo Johns2

3. Functional components
 Special visceral efferent fibers arise in nucleus
ambiguus and supply the stylopharyngeus
muscle .
 General visceral efferent fibers (preganglionic)
arises in inferior salivatory nucleus and travel to
the otic ganglion , post ganglionic fibers arising in
the ganglion to supply the parotid gland
 General visceral afferent fibers carry general
sensation from the pharynx, carotid body, and
carotid sinus to the ganglion
Gloss pharyngeal nerve by Dr Gejo Johns3

4.  Special visceral afferent fibers carry
sensation of taste from the posterior one third
of the tongue including circumvallate papillae
to the ganglion.
 General somatic afferent fibers carry
general sensation such as pain ,touch,
temperature from posterior one third of the
tongue and tonsil.
Gloss pharyngeal nerve by Dr Gejo Johns4

5. Intra cranial course and relation
o Pass forwards and laterally between olive and cerebellar
peduncle
Gloss
pharyngeal
nerve
Gloss pharyngeal nerve by Dr Gejo Johns
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6.  Unite and form single trunk and passes forwards
and laterally towards jugular foramen
 Grooves the jugular tubercle and occipital bone
Gloss pharyngeal nerve by Dr Gejo Johns
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7.  Leaves the skull through middle part of jugular foramen
anterior to vagus and accessory nerve.
 Has separate Dura matter
Gloss pharyngeal nerve by Dr Gejo Johns7

8. Extra cranial course
B/W Int. Jugular vien and Int.
Carotid artery deep to the styloid
process
Turns forward and wind round
lateral aspect of
stylopharyngeus
passes between Int. and Ext.
Carotid artery
Reaches side of pharynx and
gives pharyngeal branches
Passes deep to hyoglossus and
enters submandibular region
giving off tonsillar and lingual
branches Gloss pharyngeal nerve by Dr Gejo Johns
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9. Branches and distribution
Gloss pharyngeal nerve by Dr Gejo Johns9

10. o Tympanic branch
o Carotid branch
o Pharyngeal branch
o Muscular branch
o Tonsillar branch
o Lingual branches
Gloss pharyngeal nerve by Dr Gejo Johns
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11. Inferior
ganglion of
glossophary
ngeal nerve
Tympan
ic nerve
Middle
ear
Tympani
c
canaliculus
Tympanic
plexus
Lesser
petrosal
Pre
ganglionic
secretomotor
fibers to Otic
ganglion
parotid
Tympanic
branch
Gloss pharyngeal nerve by Dr Gejo Johns
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12. Tympanic nerve
 Tympanic nerve is a branch of inferior ganglion of
gloss pharyngeal nerve.
 It enters the middle ear through the tympanic
canaliculus take part in the formation of the
tympanic plexus in the middle ear and distributes
its fibers to middle ear the auditory tube ,the
mastoid antrum and air cells.
 One branch of the plexus is the lesser petrosal
nerve which contain preganglionic secretomotir
fibers for the parotid gland and relays in otic
ganglion. Gloss pharyngeal nerve by Dr Gejo Johns12

13. Carotid branch
 The carotid branch descend on the internal
carotid artery and supplies the carotid sinus
and carotid body.
Gloss pharyngeal nerve by Dr Gejo Johns13

14. Pharyngeal branch
 The pharyngeal branch takes part in the formation of
the pharyngeal plexus , along with vagus and
sympathetic fibers.
 The gloss pharyngeal fibers are distributed to the
mucous membrane of the pharynx.
Gloss pharyngeal nerve by Dr Gejo Johns
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15. Muscular branch
 The muscular branch supplies the
stylopharyngeus.
Gloss pharyngeal nerve by Dr Gejo Johns
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16. Tonsilar branch
 The tonsilar branch supply the tonsil and join
the lesser palatine nerve to form plexus from
which fibers distributed to soft plate and
palatoglossal arches.
Gloss pharyngeal nerve by Dr Gejo Johns16

17. Lingual branches
 The lingual branches carry taste sensation and
general sensation from the posterior one third of
the tongue including circumvallate papillae.
Gloss pharyngeal nerve by Dr Gejo Johns
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18. Applied anatomy
Any damage happen to gloss pharyngeal nerve
causes.
 Difficulty in swallowing
 Loss of general sensation around posterior one
third of the tongue, palate, and pharynx
 Loss of taste sensation over the posterior one
third of the tongue and palate
 Dysfunction of the parotid gland due to damage
to preganglionic secretomotour fibers
 Loss of gag reflex
Gloss pharyngeal nerve by Dr Gejo Johns18

19. • Gloss pharyngeal nerve is tested clinically
• On tickling the posterior wall of pharynx there is a reflex contraction
of pharyngeal muscles
• Taste sensibility on the post. 1/3 of tongue can be tested
• Pharyngitis may cause referred pain to ear as both are supplied by IX.
Gloss pharyngeal nerve by Dr Gejo Johns
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20. Gloss pharyngeal Neuralagia
Gloss pharyngeal nerve by Dr Gejo Johns20
 Gloss pharyngeal neuralgia is an irritation of
the ninth cranial nerve causing extreme pain
in the back of the throat, tongue and ear.
Attacks of intense, electric shock-like pain can
occur without warning or can be triggered by
swallowing.

21. References
Cunningham’s Textbook of Anatomy – 12th
Edition
Last’s Textbook of Head and Neck Anatomy
Textbook of Head and Neck Anatomy by B.K.B
Berkovitz,B.J. Moxham
Frank H Netter MD – Atlas of Human Anatomy 4
th Edition
Gloss pharyngeal nerve by Dr Gejo Johns21

22. Gloss pharyngeal nerve by Dr Gejo Johns
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