Tympanic nerve

Of the Tympanic nerve is part of the IX. Cranial nerve. It's located in the middle ear. There he innervates the ear trumpet.

What is the tympanic nerve?

The tympanic nerve is a branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve. This is the IX. Cranial nerve. Its main task is to regulate the pharyngeal muscles. This is directly related to the ear. The tympanic nerve is called the Tympanic nerve designated.

It is generally somato-sensitive to the middle ear and the auditory tuba. The tympanic nerve is made up of parasympathetic fibers. These have the task of innervating body functions. The organism regenerates itself through their activity. In addition, its energy reserves are built up. This function helps the organism to be in a state of internal equilibrium. Every organ and all functions of the body strive for the state of homeostasis. The tympanic nerve also has a visceromotor effect on the parotid gland.

This provides about 25% of the total saliva production. The parotid gland supplies the back third of the tongue. Your activity is of great importance during the swallowing process. In addition, it also plays an essential role in language education.

Anatomy & structure

The IX. The cranial nerve has a lot in common with the Xth cranial nerve. Like the vagus nerve, the glossopharyngeal nerve innervates parts of the tongue and throat. The glossopharyngeal nerve emerges from the brain stem and pulls down to the root of the tongue.

The tympanic nerve emerges just below the jugular foramen. It consists of somatosensitive and parasympathetic fibers. Beginning at the inferior ganglion, its path continues through the tympanic canal of the temporal bone to the tympanic cavity. This is located in the middle ear. The tympanic nerve ends there at the same time. At this point in the organism, it absorbs additional sympathetic fibers from the carotid plexus. With them it forms the tympanic plexus. In this way he sensitively supplies the middle ear and the auditory tuba. Together with the minor petrosus nerve, the tympanic nerve forms the Jacobson anastomosis.

Function & tasks

The IX. The cranial nerve plays an extremely important role in the swallowing process. The glossopharyngeal nerve plays an important role in the connection between the mouth and the nose. In addition, it is of great importance in language education. It prevents a nasal pronunciation. As part of the glossopharyngeal nerve, the tympanic nerve innervates the parotid gland.

This is called the parotid gland and produces ¼ of all saliva in the mouth area. The entire back third of the tongue is adequately supplied with it. This is where a significant part of the taste perception takes place. Above all, the quality of the “bitter” taste sensation takes place at this point. In addition, it supplies the middle ear and the auditory tuba. This sits directly behind the eardrum. The eardrum is a membrane that is curved inwards or outwards. It reacts to the positive or negative pressure and is called the Membrana Tympani.

The flexible membrane separates the outer ear from the middle ear. With a length of 35 mm, the Tuba auditiva is very small. One of their tasks is to ventilate the middle ear. This is necessary to equalize pressure between the middle ear and the outside atmosphere. This is the only way to ensure optimal sound wave transmission from the outer ear to the inner ear. The functionality of the uvula is influenced by the interaction of the tympanic nerve with the other glands of the middle ear. This has an important function when swallowing. The uptake of fluids is properly directed into the esophagus through the roof of the mouth. This is to prevent fluids from entering the nasal area.

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Diseases

An impairment of the functional activity of the tympanic nerve has an impact on the functionality of the auditory tuba and the parotid gland.

With a cold there is swelling of the mucous membrane. This presses on the tympanic nerve and takes up necessary space in the middle ear. This affects the transmission of sound. The pressure equalization from the tympanic cavity is minimized within a very short time. This reduces the ability of the eardrum to vibrate. This leads to a decrease in hearing ability. As soon as the functionality of the tympanic nerve is restricted, the cleaning in the tympanic cavity is affected. The result is that bacteria can spread in the tympanic cavity.

This means that the discharge of secretions from the tympanic cavity is no longer guaranteed. This increases the likelihood of a purulent otitis media. As soon as the function of the parotid gland is impaired, there is a reduction in saliva production. This has an impact on language formation and the swallowing process. The activity of the uvula is affected. This can mean that when swallowing as well as when speaking, the soft palate is not sufficiently separated from the nasopharynx by the oropharynx.

This is the area where the union of the oral and pharynx cavities takes place. As a result, liquids leak out of the nose when swallowing. This can happen particularly when drinking, but also when consuming thinly liquid foods. When speaking, there is a nasal pronunciation. In extreme cases, the gag reflex can fail.

If a tumor forms in the middle ear, the functionality of the tympanic nerve is also restricted. Nerve pain can occur in individual cases. These are neuralgia of the tympanic nerve. Patients report a sudden pain associated with pain in the ear and throat.