In carcinoma, base of tongue pain is referred to the ear through:
Hypoglossal nerve
Vagus nerve
Glossopharyngeal nerve
Lingual nerve
In carcinoma base of tongue pain is referred to the ipsilateral ear because of the common nerve supply of the base of tongue and ear i.e. Glossopharyngeal nerve. The anterior 2/3 of tongue is supplied by Lingual nerve Lingual nerve is a branch of mandibular N and auriculotemporal N which supplies ear is also a branch of mandibular N. Hence any pain of anterior 2/3 of tongue is referred to ear mandibular N. Any pain in the posterior 1/3 of tongue is referred to ear Glossopharyngeal and vagus N. Any pain in the base of tongue is referred to ear glossopharyngeal N.