glossopharyngeal nerve

References

glossopharyngeal nerve

anatomy

Also known as: ninth cranial nerve

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Last updated

June 29, 2026

Quick Summary

The glossopharyngeal nerve, also known as the ninth cranial nerve (CN IX), is a crucial component of the peripheral nervous system. It exits the skull through the jugular foramen and possesses both motor and sensory functions.1

Motor functions include innervating the stylopharyngeal muscle, which aids in elevating the pharynx during actions like swallowing or gagging. It also carries fibers that stimulate the parotid salivary gland.1

Sensory functions involve transmitting taste sensations from the back of the tongue. Additionally, it carries general sensory information from the pharynx, soft palate, and structures like the carotid sinus and body. The glossopharyngeal nerve plays a role in regulating blood pressure through the carotid sinus reflex.1

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human nervous system
Glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX or 9)
The ninth cranial nerve, which exits the skull through the jugular foramen, has both motor and sensory components. Cell bodies of motor neurons, located in the nucleus ambiguus in the medulla oblongata, project as special visceral efferent fibers to…
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The ninth cranial nerve, which exits the skull through the jugular foramen, has both motor and sensory components. Cell bodies of motor neurons, located in the nucleus ambiguus in the medulla oblongata, project as special visceral efferent fibers to…
Read More

human sensory reception
Nerve supply
…the tongue by another (the glossopharyngeal nerve), and the throat and larynx by certain branches of a third (the vagus nerve), all of which subserve touch, temperature, and pain sensitivity in the tongue, as well as taste. The gustatory fibres of the anterior tongue leave the lingual nerve to form…
Read More
…the tongue by another (the glossopharyngeal nerve), and the throat and larynx by certain branches of a third (the vagus nerve), all of which subserve touch, temperature, and pain sensitivity in the tongue, as well as taste. The gustatory fibres of the anterior tongue leave the lingual nerve to form…
Read More

nervous system disease
Cranial nerves
To examine glossopharyngeal and vagus nerve function, the physician tests for the presence of touch sensation on the soft palate and the back of the throat (the latter usually eliciting a gagging reflex), the elevation of the palate on phonation (which should be symmetrical but rises to…
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To examine glossopharyngeal and vagus nerve function, the physician tests for the presence of touch sensation on the soft palate and the back of the throat (the latter usually eliciting a gagging reflex), the elevation of the palate on phonation (which should be symmetrical but rises to…
Read More

human nervous system
Parasympathetic nervous system
…in the ninth cranial (glossopharyngeal) nerve to the otic ganglion. From this site, postganglionic fibers travel to and innervate the parotid salivary gland.
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…in the ninth cranial (glossopharyngeal) nerve to the otic ganglion. From this site, postganglionic fibers travel to and innervate the parotid salivary gland.
Read More