Cranial nerves and pathways

Question 1

CN IX
sensory
modalities

Answer 1

1. somatic sensory from skin of outer ear
   superior ganglion of IX and then to the spinal trigeminal nucleus
2. visceral sensory a. taste buds from posterior tongue and carotid body to the inferior ganglion of IX and then to the solitary nucleus b. mucosa of tongue, pharynx, and middle ear send to the inferior ganglion of IX and then to the solitary nucleus

Question 2

CN IX
motor
modalities

Answer 2

visceral motor: inferior salivatory nucleus to otic ganglion then to the parotid gland
branchial motor: nucleus ambiguus to the pharynx

Question 3

Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia

Answer 3

Similar to trigeminal neuralgia
Rare, but distressing
Sudden burst of pain starts in posterior tongue or wall of pharynx, then radiates to ear
Trigger zone on tongue/ pharynx and attacks precipitated by swallowing or talking
Pharmacologic management or tractotomy of spinal trigeminal tract in caudal medulla

Question 4

CN X
motor
modalities

Answer 4

visceral motor: thoracic and abdominal viscera to the dorsal motor nucleus to nucleus ambiguus.
branchial motor: larynx and pharynx to the nucleus ambiguus.

Question 5

CN X
sensory
modalities

Answer 5

1. somatic sensory from skin of outer ear
   superior ganglion of X and then to the spinal trigeminal nucleus (just like IX)
2. visceral sensory a. taste buds: epiglottis and esophagus to inferior ganglion of X to nucleus of solitary tract. b. thoracic and abdominal viscera, mucosa of larynx and pharynx to the inferior ganglion of X and then the solitary tract.