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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web 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

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'glossopharyngeal nerve.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

glosso- + pharyngeal

First Known Use

circa 1823, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of glossopharyngeal nerve was circa 1823

See more words from the same year

Dictionary Entries Near glossopharyngeal nerve

glossophagine

glossopharyngeal nerve

glossophobia

See More Nearby Entries

Cite this Entry

Style

“Glossopharyngeal nerve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glossopharyngeal%20nerve. Accessed 7 Dec. 2022.

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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