Tympanic nerve

The tympanic nerve ( " tympanic cavity nerve" ) is a branch of the IX. Cranial nerve (glossopharyngeal ). The fibers of the nerves originate in the inferior salivatory nucleus (lower salivary nucleus) of the medulla oblongata ( extended spinal cord).

The tympanic nerve goes from the inferior ganglion and pulls at the base of fossula petrosa in the tympanic canaliculus and from there under the sacral promontory to the floor of the tympanic cavity. He supplies the middle ear ( tympanic cavity and Eustachian tube ) sensitive.

In the middle ear, the nerve with sympathetic fibers from the superior cervical ganglion forms the tympanic plexus ( tympanic plexus ). From this plexus arises from the lesser petrosal nerve ( " small tympanic cavity nerve" ), the parasympathetic fibers lacerum through the foramen or fissure sphenopetrosa the otic ganglion leads (so-called Jacobson anastomosis ). In the otic ganglion, the fibers are switched to the second neurons and attach themselves to a connecting branch ( communicating branch ) the nerve auriculotemporal, through which they reach the parotid gland. About another connecting branch, which attaches itself to the nerve buccal, enter parasympathetic fibers to the back glands. The branches stimulate the secretion of salivary glands.

In individual cases of neuralgia of the nerves have been described, which are manifested in sudden einschießenden pain in the ear and neck.