Which term describes the nerve named for the tongue and pharynx?

Which term describes the nerve named for the tongue and pharynx?

• A. Proctologist
• B. Sigmoidoscopy
• C. Glossopharyngeal
• D. Ileostomy

Answer: (C)

In anatomy, nerve names often reflect the regions they serve. The term glossopharyngeal combines glosso- meaning tongue with -pharyngeal meaning pharynx, so it literally names a nerve associated with both structures. This is the ninth cranial nerve, the glossopharyngeal nerve, which carries sensory and some motor functions related to the tongue and pharynx (taste and sensation to the posterior third of the tongue, involvement in the gag reflex, and motor input to a pharyngeal muscle with parasympathetic output to the parotid gland). The other options describe a clinician, a diagnostic procedure, and a surgical procedure, none of which are nerves.

In anatomy, nerve names often reflect the regions they serve. The term glossopharyngeal combines glosso- meaning tongue with -pharyngeal meaning pharynx, so it literally names a nerve associated with both structures. This is the ninth cranial nerve, the glossopharyngeal nerve, which carries sensory and some motor functions related to the tongue and pharynx (taste and sensation to the posterior third of the tongue, involvement in the gag reflex, and motor input to a pharyngeal muscle with parasympathetic output to the parotid gland). The other options describe a clinician, a diagnostic procedure, and a surgical procedure, none of which are nerves.