Description and Physiology
The glossopharyngeal nerve originates from the brainstem and has both sensory and motor functions. The term glosso means “pertaining to the tongue and pharyngeal means “pertaining to the pharynx”. Therefore, it makes sense simply from the name that the glossopharyngeal nerve controls tongue and pharynx. The glossopharyngeal nerve only motor function is supplying efferent motor fibers to the stylopharyngeal muscle, which elevates the pharynx. This nerve also receives afferent sensory signals from the pharynx, tonsils, middle ear, and posterior of the tongue. Sensory fibers are also received from the carotid bodies, which detect increase in blood pressure in the sinus of the carotid. Afferent signals can then be sent to the medulla where the stimulation of the medulla leads to a decrease in arterial blood pressure and heart rate. This reflex is known as the carotid sinus reflex.
Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia
Nerve Damage :
Glossopharyngeal neuralgia is a condition in which there are repeated episodes of severe pain in the tongue, throat, ear, and tonsils, which can last from a few seconds to a few minutes.
Symptoms:
Severe pain in areas connected to the Glossopharyngeal Nerve.
- Back of the nose and throat (nasopharynx)
- Back of the tongue
- Ear
- Throat
- Tonsil area
- Voice box (larynx)
Symptoms are triggered by swallowing,laughing, coughing or talking.
Treatment
Simple over the counter pain killer wont do much help. The most effective drugs are antiseizure medications, such as carbameoine, gabapentin,and phenytoin. Some antidepressents such as nortriptyline may help some people.
Literature Cited:
Dugdale, D. 1997-2012. Glossopharyngeal neuralgia [Internet]. Bethesda (MD). U.S. National Library of Medicine; [updated 2010 May 5, cited 2012 Apr 30]. Available from: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001636.htm
Farr, G. 2002. The nervous system – Advanced version/ the cranial nerves [Internet]. Clearwater (Fl); [updated 2002 Jun 24; cited 2012 Apr 24]. Available from: http://www.becomehealthynow.com/article/bodynervousadvanced/812
Gailard, F., & Jones, J. 2005-2010. Cranial nerves. Radiopaedia.org; [updated 2011, cited 2012 Apr 18]. Available from: http://radiopaedia.org/articles/cranial_nerves
Glossopharyngeal nerve [Internet]. 2012. The Free Dictionary; [cited 2012 Apr 30]. Available from: http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/glossopharyngeal+nerve
Naik, A. 2011. Glossopharyngeal neuralgia [Internet]. Premier Specialty Center; [cited 2012 May 1]. Available from: http://drarunlnaik.com/glossopharyngeal_neuralgia
San diego headache and facial pain glossopharyngeal neuralgia.MOV. 2011. Youtube; [updated 2011 Sep 8, cited 2012 May 6]. Available from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PlxYV_BWss
Thackery, G. 1997. The cranial nerves. Loyola University of Medical Education Network; [updated 1997 Aug 28, cited 2012 May 1]. Available from: http://www.stritch.luc.edu/lumen/MedEd/GrossAnatomy/h_n/cn/cn1/mainframe.htm
12 Cranial Nerves 