Nerves of the pharynx
Learning objectives
After going through this study unit you will be able to:
- Describe the sensory and motor innervation of the pharynx.
- Identify other important nervous structures located in the parapharyngeal space.
Watch video
Nearly all of the innervation of the pharynx, either motor or sensory, is derived from the pharyngeal plexus, located in the outer fascia of the pharyngeal wall. This plexus is formed mainly through the branches of the vagus (CN X) and glossopharyngeal (CN IX) nerves with contributions from the superior cervical sympathetic ganglion.
Other important nerves located in the parapharyngeal space are the accessory (CN XI) and the hypoglossal (CN XII) nerve, as well as all nerves of the cervical sympathetic trunk. These nervous structures are not directly involved in the nerve supply of the pharynx but are closely related to this organ.
Curious about this topic? Check out our video to find out more.
Take a quiz
Test your knowledge of the nerves of the pharynx by taking the following quiz.
Customize your quiz to get a broader collection of questions. Below you will find a quiz about all the structures of the pharynx, that you can modify to your own liking!
Browse atlas
:watermark(/images/watermark_5000_10percent.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/overview_image/1072/NhBxeYtjrL8YBMFt76Gg_parapharyngeal-space-nerves_english.jpg){kind=logo}
Explore each of the nervous structures of the pharynx and parapharyngeal space with our image gallery.
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/nervus-glossopharyngeus/yFzpbfHPffkY4HK2krluvA_N._glossopharyngeus_01.png "Glossopharyngeal nerve (Nervus glossopharyngeus); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/nervus-vagus-2/hWgkeI1ag5nlSiXL3l4vA_N._vagus_01.png "Vagus nerve (Nervus vagus); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/inferior-ganglion-of-vagus-nerve/rVvC66cwNJIygGiUkK1rLg_Ganglion_inferius_nervi_vagi_02.png "Inferior ganglion of vagus nerve (Ganglion inferius nervi vagi); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/nervus-laryngeus-superior/1ynxbHyPVOCYjCBPg_N._laryngeus_superior_01.png "Superior laryngeal nerve (Nervus laryngeus superior); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/ramus-externus-nervi-laryngei-superioris/nnyNVOVB76I9HxHNLAmDow_N._laryngeus_superior__r._externus_01.png "External branch of superior laryngeal nerve (Ramus externus nervi laryngei superioris); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/ramus-internus-nervi-laryngei-superioris/x1qz9AQkELlGQ5up69utmA_N._laryngeus_superior__r._internus_01.png "Internal branch of superior laryngeal nerve (Ramus internus nervi laryngei superioris); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/nervus-laryngeus-recurrens-sinister-2/fPBoVsIIbqEgwlKWld8nA_N._laryngeus_recurrens_sinister_01.png "Left recurrent laryngeal nerve (Nervus laryngeus recurrens sinister); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/nervus-laryngeus-recurrens-dexter-2/VC2BeBcj6MuuSannA1UQ_N._laryngeus_recurrens_dexter_01.png "Right recurrent laryngeal nerve (Nervus laryngeus recurrens dexter); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/nervus-hypoglossus-2/B0FjumTKOSd2CqULgURuSw_N._hypoglossus_01.png "Hypoglossal nerve (Nervus hypoglossus); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/nervus-accessorius/dS965Jw0DOFRyfWL514jw_N._accessorius_01.png "Accessory nerve (Nervus accessorius); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/truncus-sympathicus/5yk2snZAyzqKncqYsWODIQ_Truncus_sympathicus_01.png "Sympathetic trunk (Truncus sympathicus); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/ganglion-cervicale-superius/H42F6OPVSQXV9i5oePrw_Ganglion_cervicale_superius_01.png "Superior cervical ganglion (Ganglion cervicale superius); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/ganglion-cervicale-medium/vXxvTtHjfyyJW7fw6lTqgw_Ganglion_cervicale_medius_01.png "Middle cervical ganglion (Ganglion cervicale medium); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
:watermark(/images/watermark_only.png,0,0,0):watermark(/images/logo_url.png,-10,-10,0):format(jpeg)/images/anatomy_term/ganglion-stellatum/fYX8tx5hMBkJ3NZq4xwRQ_Ganglion_cervicothoracicum__Ganglion_stellatum_01.png "Cervicothoracic ganglion (Ganglion cervicothoracicum); Image: Yousun Koh"){kind=logo}
Summary
| Pharyngeal plexus - composition | Pharyngeal branches of the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) Pharyngeal branch of the vagus nerve (CN X) Branches from the external laryngeal nerve from the superior laryngeal branch of the vagus nerve (CN X) Contributions from the superior cervical sympathetic ganglion |
| Sensory innervation | Nasopharynx - pharyngeal branch of the maxillary nerve (CN V2) Oropharynx - glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) via the pharyngeal plexus Laryngopharynx - vagus nerve (CN X) via the internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve |
| Motor innervation | All pharyngeal muscles - pharyngeal branch of the vagus nerve (CN X) (except for the stylopharyngeus muscle which is innervated by a branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve) |
Well done!
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