The glossopharyngeal nerve
Glossopharyngeal nerve (IX) · nervus glossopharyngeus
The ninth cranial nerve, carrying taste and touch from the back of the tongue and throat.
What it does
The glossopharyngeal nerve brings taste and sensation from the back third of the tongue and the throat, triggers the gag reflex and drives saliva from the parotid gland. It also carries signals from sensors in the carotid artery that monitor blood pressure and oxygen.
Surprising fact
The bitter taste receptors are concentrated at the back of the tongue, and this nerve carries their signals, a last check before you swallow something that might be poisonous.
Why it matters
Its blood-pressure sensors in the neck help keep you from fainting when you stand up quickly.
Nearby
Read more
Sources
Drafted with AI help; awaiting a human fact-check against these sources.
Open in the 3D atlas · Suggest a correction · Not medical advice.
3D models: Z-Anatomy & BodyParts3D (CC BY-SA 4.0 / 2.1 JP). Card text CC BY 4.0.