CN IX - Glossopharyngeal n

CN IX, the glossopharyngeal n. is small but has many different modalities:

• Somatic motor innervation to the stylopharyngeus m.

• Parasympathetic (secretomotor) innervation to the parotid gland

• Visceral sensory from the carotid sinus and carotid body

• General sensory from the posterior 1/3 of the tongue, external tympanic membrane, and upper pharynx

• Special sensory (taste) from the posterior 1/3 of the tongue