This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Clinical examination

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

The clinical examination of the glossopharyngeal nerve involves tests which simultaneously gauge the function of the vagus nerve:

  • test the gag reflex - the glossopharyngeal nerve provides the sensory component, the tenth nerve supplies the motor component; ask if the patient can feel the spatula touching the palate
  • test taste on the posterior third of the tongue - not usually carried out
  • test swallowing

Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.