Glossopharyngeal Nerve and Nerve Pain
The glossopharyngeal nerve is the ninth cranial nerve, and is responsible for both motor and sensory function in the human body. Due to the various innervation capacities, the nerve is said to be mixed and is related to multiple vital body processes. This includes the ability to taste, swallow, and other sensations involved with the tongue and esophagus. In addition, it also plays a smaller role in regulating blood pressure and breathing. Disorders that are associated with this particular nerve often disrupt homeostasis of some of these processes.
Common Conditions of the Glossopharyngeal Nerve
Glossopharyngeal neuralgia is one of the most common conditions surrounding this nerve. This is pain in the areas that are associated with the nerve. Although these attacks may be brief, they can last for a few minutes at a time and may become severe. During an episode the throat, tonsils, ears, and the back of the tongue is typically the affected area. While the direct cause is not always known, irritation of the nerve may be to blame. Pressure caused by blood vessels on the nerve, abnormalities of the skull such as growths, and infection can often serve as an irritant.
Signs and Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of disorders surrounding the glossopharyngeal nerve may be similar, regardless of the condition. Pain in areas innervated is the main indication of a disorder. However, it is often difficult to pin point that these are caused by the nerve. This is because several of the symptoms can be caused by various conditions and are not chronic. The pain tends to come and go and will vary among patients. While some may suffer from the pain throughout bursts on a daily basis, this may not be true of many individuals.
Diagnosis of Glossopharyngeal Nerve Disorders
While blood tests are useful in diagnosing several other diseases and disorders, this may not be true of these types of particular nerve disorders. Rather, the physician may use blood tests and other measures to rule out conditions with similar signs and symptoms. The most useful diagnostic tools for glossopharyngeal disorders usually involves x-rays and/or other types of scans. An MRI or CT scan are among the most utilized methods for diagnosis. These tests can be very accurate in detecting key points of inflammation, such as swelling and the presence of growths or tumors.
Bibliography
Principles of Anatomy and Physiology. 12th Edition. Totora, Gerad. Derrickson, Bryan. John Wiley & Sons, 2009. p. 545-60.
Medline Plus. U.S. National Library of Medicine and National Institute of Health. 20, November 2009. https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001636.htm