Ninth Cranial Nerve (Noun)
Meaning
Sensory nerve to the pharynx and back of the tongue; motor fibers innervate muscles that elevate the pharynx and larynx; includes parasympathetic fibers to the otic ganglion.
Classification
Nouns denoting body parts.
Examples
- The glossopharyngeal nerve, also known as the ninth cranial nerve, provides sensory innervation to the pharynx and the posterior one-third of the tongue.
- Damage to the ninth cranial nerve can result in difficulty swallowing and alterations in taste perception.
- The ninth cranial nerve is responsible for transmitting sensory information from the pharynx and posterior tongue to the brain.
- The motor fibers of the ninth cranial nerve innervate the stylopharyngeus muscle, which elevates the pharynx during swallowing.
- The parasympathetic fibers of the ninth cranial nerve synapse in the otic ganglion, which regulates the secretion of the parotid gland.