Glossopharyngeal nerve

/ɡlˈɒsəfˌɑːɹɪndʒˌiəl nˈɜːv/

/ɡlˈɔsəfˌɑːɹɪndʒˌiəl nˈɜːv/

[noun]

[NOUN]

a cranial nerve responsible for sensory and motor functions in the head and neck region

synonyms : nervus glossopharyngeus

ninth cranial nerve

What is a "glossopharyngeal nerve"?

A glossopharyngeal nerve is a cranial nerve responsible for sensory and motor functions in the head and neck region. It is involved in taste perception, swallowing, and the reflexes of the pharynx and larynx. The glossopharyngeal nerve carries information from the back of the tongue, throat, and tonsils to the brain, allowing us to experience taste sensations and monitor the condition of the throat. Additionally, it helps regulate blood pressure and heart rate through its involvement in the baroreceptor reflex.

Examples

1. In particular, they use the chorda tympani and glossopharyngeal nerves that relay messages from the tongue to the brain as the rodents taste each substance.