glossopharyngeal

a. (glŏs"dō̍*făr`ĭn*jē"al or glŏs"dō̍*fȧ*rĭn"jē̍*al)

[Gr. glw^ssa the tongue + E. pharyngeal.]
(Anat.) Pertaining to both the tongue and the pharynx; -- applied especially to the ninth pair of cranial nerves, which are distributed to the pharynx and tongue. -- n. One of the glossopharyngeal nerves.

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(glôs'ō-fə-rĭn'jē-əl, -jəl, -făr'ən-jē'əl)
adj.

Relating to the tongue and pharynx.

Pertaining to the tongue and pharynx.

• g. nerve — the ninth cranial nerve; it supplies the carotid sinus, mucous membrane, muscles of the pharynx, soft palate and caudal part of the tongue, and the taste buds in the caudal part of the tongue. By serving the carotid sinus, the glossopharyngeal nerve provides for reflex control of the heart. It is also responsible for the swallowing reflex, for stimulating secretions of the parotid glands, and for the sense of taste in the caudal part of the tongue. Lesions of the nerve cause dysphagia or inability to swallow, regurgitation through the nostrils and sometimes abnormality of the voice and interference with respiration.

IN BRIEF: adj. - Pertaining to the tongue and throat.

Note: click on a word meaning below to see its connections and related words.

The adjective has one meaning:

Meaning #1: pertaining to the tongue and throat
  Pertains to nouns: tongue (meaning #1), throat (meaning #1)

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