Cranial Nerves 10: glossopharyngeal (IX) & Vagus (X) nerves

  • Listen to the patient's voice, is it hoarse or nasal?
  • Ask Patient to Swallow
  • Ask Patient to Say "Ah"
  • Watch the movements of the soft palate and the pharynx.
  • If lesion is present, the uvula will deviate away from it (unlike the tongue).
  • Ask to test Gag Reflex (Unpleasant, so don't really do it in an exam).
    1. Stimulate the back of the throat on each side.
    2. It is normal to gag after each stimulus.
    3. Uvula moves upwards.

 

 
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5th Cranial Nerve
Trigeminal
Glossopharyngeal
& Vagus