brain, spinal cord, and nerve disorders
Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia
Introduction
Glossopharyngeal neuralgia consists of recurring attacks of severe pain in the back of the throat, the area near the tonsils, the back of the tongue, part of the ear, and/or the area under the back of the jaw. The pain is due to malfunction of the 9th cranial nerve (glossopharyngeal nerve). The glossopharyngeal nerve helps move the muscles of the throat and carries information from the throat, tonsils, and tongue to the brain. The cause is often unknown but sometimes is an abnormally positioned artery that puts pressure on (compresses) the glossopharyngeal nerve. People have brief attacks of excruciating pain, affecting one side of the tongue or throat and sometimes an ear. Doctors diagnose the disorder based on what the pain is like and whether a local anesthetic applied to the back of the throat eliminates the pain. Certain antiseizure medications or antidepressants,baclofen, or a local anesthetic may relieve the pain, but surgery is sometimes needed. (See also Overview of the Cranial Nerves .) Glossopharyngeal neuralgia, a rare disorder, usually begins after age 40 and occurs more often in men. The vagus (10th cranial) nerve malfunctions at the same time because the vagus nerve and the glossopharyngeal (9th cranial) nerve exit the skull together. Thus, the problem affecting the glossopharyngeal nerve usually also affects the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve helps control the heartbeat. When the vagus nerve malfunctions, the pulse may be abnormal, and Overview of Abnormal Heart Rhythms (arrhythmias) may occur. 