glossopharyngeal nerve

noun

glos·​so·​pha·​ryn·​geal nerve ˌglä-sō-ˌfer-ən-ˈjē-əl- 

ˌglȯ-,

-fə-ˈrin-j(ē-)əl- 

: either of the ninth pair of cranial nerves that are mixed nerves and supply chiefly the pharynx, posterior tongue, and parotid gland

called also glossopharyngeal

Examples of glossopharyngeal nerve in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This sudden pain may result from irritation to the glossopharyngeal nerve (one of the four cranial nerves), which runs from the brain stem through the tonsils and along your ears. —Sarah Hudgens, Health, 5 Oct. 2024

There are two cranial nerves responsible for taste perception in different areas of the tongue: the glossopharyngeal nerve in the back and the chorda tympani branch of the facial nerve in the front. —Steven D Munger, Smithsonian, 23 May 2017

Word History

Etymology

glosso- + pharyngeal

First Known Use

circa 1823, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

glossopharyngeal nerve

noun

: a mixed nerve that is either of the ninth pair of cranial nerves, that has sensory fibers arising from the superior and petrosal ganglia and motor fibers arising with those of the vagus nerve from the lateral wall of the medulla, and that supplies chiefly the pharynx, posterior tongue, and parotid gland with motor and sensory fibers including gustatory and autonomic secretory and vasodilator fibers

called also glossopharyngeal, ninth cranial nerve