• Glossopharyngeal nerve supplies all of the following except?
  A. Stylopharyngeus
  B. Sensory supply to posterior one third of tongue
  C. Taste sensation to circumvallate papillae
  D. Constrictors of pharynx
  
  Ans: D) Constrictors of pharynx
  
  Explanation -

Glossopharyngeal Nerve ( IXth cranial nerve) -

Branches -
    A) Communicating branches
                a) (Inferior ganglion of glossopharyngeal nerve) communicates with -- superior cervical sympathetic ganglion, superior & inferior ganglion of the vagus
                b) With facial nerve - via a filament which pierces posterior belly of digastric muscle

    B) Distributing branches

1. Tympanic branch - (arises from inferior ganglion) -
   • Tympanic plexus - supplying sensory fibres to mucous membrane of tympanic cavity, tympanic membrane,  mastoid antrum and air cells, auditory tube
   • Lesser petrosal nerve - carries pre-ganglionic secreto-motor fibers -- to otic ganglion
     (post ganglionic fibres from otic ganglion, accompany auriculotemporal nerve, supply parotid gland)
      
2. Carotid branch - acts as baro- and chemo-receptors from carotid body
    
3. Pharyngeal branches - join pharyngeal plexus (but they do not supply the pharyngeal constrictors)
   The branches from the glossopharyngeal nerves are only sensory to the mucous membrane of the pharynx
    
4. Muscular branch - Stylopharyngeus muscle
    
5. Tonsillar branches - Palatine tonsils, soft palate and fauces
    
6. Lingual branches - (Taste sensation and General sensations from areas mentioned below)
      Anterior set - vallate papillae & area anterior to sulcus terminalis
      Posterior set - post-sulcal area of the tongue