Glossopharnygeal Nerve IX

Question 1

What is the function of the Glossopharyngeal nerve?

Answer 1

Motor-innervates the stylopharyngeus muscle of the pharynx

Sensory-innervates the oropharynx, posterior 1/3 of the tonguie

Special Sensory-Taste sensation tot he posterior 1/3 of the tongue

Parasympathetic- parasympathetic innervation of the parotid gland

Question 2

What is the anatomical course of the nerve?

Answer 2

arises from the MEDULLA OBLONGATA of the brain and leaves the cranium via the JUGULAR FORAMEN

Question 3

How do you test the function of the nerve?

Answer 3

elicit the gag reflex using a tongue depressor against the posterior of the tongue.
Do this because the nerve provides sensory innervation to the oropharynx acting as an afferent limb for the gag reflex(efferent limb is vagus)

No gag reflex= indicates damage to the nerve