The tympanic nerve (Jacobson’s nerve) is a branch of the
glossopharyngeal nerve
The glossopharyngeal nerve (), also known as the ninth cranial nerve, cranial nerve IX, or simply CN IX, is a cranial nerve that exits the brainstem from the sides of the upper medulla, just anterior (closer to the nose) to the vagus nerve. ...
found near the
ear
An ear is the organ that enables hearing and, in mammals, body balance using the vestibular system. In mammals, the ear is usually described as having three parts—the outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear. The outer ear consists of ...
. It gives sensation to the middle ear, the
Eustachian tube, the
parotid gland
The parotid gland is a major salivary gland in many animals. In humans, the two parotid glands are present on either side of the mouth and in front of both ears. They are the largest of the salivary glands. Each parotid is wrapped around the ma ...
, and
mastoid air cells. It gives parasympathetic to supply to the parotid gland via the
otic ganglion
The otic ganglion is a small parasympathetic ganglion located immediately below the foramen ovale in the infratemporal fossa and on the medial surface of the mandibular nerve. It is functionally associated with the glossopharyngeal nerve and inn ...
and the
auriculotemporal nerve
The auriculotemporal nerve is a branch of the mandibular nerve (CN V3) that runs with the superficial temporal artery and vein, and provides sensory innervation to various regions on the side of the head.
Structure
Origin
The auriculotempor ...
.
Structure
The tympanic nerve arises from the
inferior ganglion of the
glossopharyngeal nerve
The glossopharyngeal nerve (), also known as the ninth cranial nerve, cranial nerve IX, or simply CN IX, is a cranial nerve that exits the brainstem from the sides of the upper medulla, just anterior (closer to the nose) to the vagus nerve. ...
.
It ascends to the
tympanic cavity
The tympanic cavity is a small cavity surrounding the bones of the middle ear. Within it sit the ossicles, three small bones that transmit vibrations used in the detection of sound.
Structure
On its lateral surface, it abuts the external auditory ...
through a small canal, the
inferior tympanic canaliculus, on the under surface of the petrous portion of the
temporal bone
The temporal bones are situated at the sides and base of the skull, and lateral to the temporal lobes of the cerebral cortex.
The temporal bones are overlaid by the sides of the head known as the temples, and house the structures of the ears. ...
on the ridge which separates the
carotid canal
The carotid canal is a passageway in the temporal bone of the skull through which the internal carotid artery enters the middle cranial fossa from the neck.
Structure
The carotid canal is located within the middle cranial fossa, at the petrou ...
from the
jugular fossa.
In the tympanic cavity, it divides into branches which form the
tympanic plexus
In the tympanic cavity, the tympanic nerve (a branch of CN IX) divides into branches which, along with sympathetic fibres from the carotid plexus, form the tympanic plexus. This plexus is located on the surface of the promontory.
This tympanic pl ...
and are contained in grooves upon the surface of the promontory.
The tympanic nerve contains sensory axons to the
middle ear
The middle ear is the portion of the ear medial to the eardrum, and distal to the oval window of the cochlea (of the inner ear).
The mammalian middle ear contains three ossicles, which transfer the vibrations of the eardrum into waves in the ...
, including the internal surface of the
tympanic membrane
In the anatomy of humans and various other tetrapods, the eardrum, also called the tympanic membrane or myringa, is a thin, cone-shaped membrane that separates the external ear from the middle ear. Its function is to transmit sound from the a ...
.
Their cell bodies are found in the
superior ganglion of the glossopharyngeal nerve. It also contains parasympathetic axons, which continue as the
lesser petrosal nerve
The lesser petrosal nerve (also known as the small superficial petrosal nerve) is the general visceral efferent (GVE) component of the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX), carrying parasympathetic preganglionic fibers from the tympanic plexus to the p ...
to the
otic ganglion
The otic ganglion is a small parasympathetic ganglion located immediately below the foramen ovale in the infratemporal fossa and on the medial surface of the mandibular nerve. It is functionally associated with the glossopharyngeal nerve and inn ...
, which itself gives off postganglionic parasympathetic neurons.
Variation
The tympanic nerve usually arises from the
inferior ganglion of the
glossopharyngeal nerve
The glossopharyngeal nerve (), also known as the ninth cranial nerve, cranial nerve IX, or simply CN IX, is a cranial nerve that exits the brainstem from the sides of the upper medulla, just anterior (closer to the nose) to the vagus nerve. ...
.
Rarely, it may arise from a higher part.
Rarely, it may provide no parasympathetic fibres to the otic ganglion.
Function
The tympanic nerve provides sensation to the
middle ear
The middle ear is the portion of the ear medial to the eardrum, and distal to the oval window of the cochlea (of the inner ear).
The mammalian middle ear contains three ossicles, which transfer the vibrations of the eardrum into waves in the ...
(
tympanic cavity
The tympanic cavity is a small cavity surrounding the bones of the middle ear. Within it sit the ossicles, three small bones that transmit vibrations used in the detection of sound.
Structure
On its lateral surface, it abuts the external auditory ...
).
This includes the internal surface of the
tympanic membrane
In the anatomy of humans and various other tetrapods, the eardrum, also called the tympanic membrane or myringa, is a thin, cone-shaped membrane that separates the external ear from the middle ear. Its function is to transmit sound from the a ...
. It also supplies the
Eustachian tube, the
parotid gland
The parotid gland is a major salivary gland in many animals. In humans, the two parotid glands are present on either side of the mouth and in front of both ears. They are the largest of the salivary glands. Each parotid is wrapped around the ma ...
, and
mastoid air cells.
The tympanic nerve also gives parasympathetic supply to the
otic ganglion
The otic ganglion is a small parasympathetic ganglion located immediately below the foramen ovale in the infratemporal fossa and on the medial surface of the mandibular nerve. It is functionally associated with the glossopharyngeal nerve and inn ...
.
These neurons then provide secretomotor innervation of the
parotid gland
The parotid gland is a major salivary gland in many animals. In humans, the two parotid glands are present on either side of the mouth and in front of both ears. They are the largest of the salivary glands. Each parotid is wrapped around the ma ...
via the
auriculotemporal nerve
The auriculotemporal nerve is a branch of the mandibular nerve (CN V3) that runs with the superficial temporal artery and vein, and provides sensory innervation to various regions on the side of the head.
Structure
Origin
The auriculotempor ...
.
It is involved in the salivatory reflex to increase
salivation during
chewing
Chewing or mastication is the process by which food is crushed and ground by teeth. It is the first step of digestion, and it increases the surface area of foods to allow a more efficient break down by enzymes. During the mastication process, th ...
.
Clinical significance
The tympanic nerve is involved in a reflex, where stimulation of the
ear canal increases
salivation.
Cancer
The tympanic nerve may be involved by
paraganglioma
A paraganglioma is a rare neuroendocrine neoplasm that may develop at various body sites (including the head, neck, thorax and abdomen). When the same type of tumor is found in the adrenal gland, they are referred to as a pheochromocytoma. They a ...
, in this location referred to as a glomus tympanicum tumour.
This causes a soft mass in the
middle ear
The middle ear is the portion of the ear medial to the eardrum, and distal to the oval window of the cochlea (of the inner ear).
The mammalian middle ear contains three ossicles, which transfer the vibrations of the eardrum into waves in the ...
(
tympanic cavity
The tympanic cavity is a small cavity surrounding the bones of the middle ear. Within it sit the ossicles, three small bones that transmit vibrations used in the detection of sound.
Structure
On its lateral surface, it abuts the external auditory ...
).
There may also be
pulsatile tinnitus,
hearing loss
Hearing loss is a partial or total inability to hear. Hearing loss may be present at birth or acquired at any time afterwards. Hearing loss may occur in one or both ears. In children, hearing problems can affect the ability to acquire spoken ...
or
hearing problems
Hearing loss is a partial or total inability to hear. Hearing loss may be present at birth or acquired at any time afterwards. Hearing loss may occur in one or both ears. In children, hearing problems can affect the ability to acquire spoken la ...
, and some cardiac abnormalities.
History
The tympanic nerve is also known as the nerve of Jacobson, or Jacobson's nerve.
Additional images
File:Gray782_updated.png, Lesser petrosal nerve
File:Gray843.png, Sympathetic connections of the otic and superior cervical ganglia.
References
External links
Tympanic and Lesser petrosal nerve diagram * ()
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tympanic Nerve
Glossopharyngeal nerve