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Noun: ninth cranial nerve
  1. Sensory nerve to the pharynx and back of the tongue; motor fibers innervate muscles that elevate the pharynx and larynx; includes parasympathetic fibers to the otic ganglion
    - glossopharyngeal nerve, nervus glossopharyngeus

Derived forms: ninth cranial nerves

Type of: cranial nerve

Encyclopedia: Ninth cranial nerve