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Updated: Aug 5, 2025

Minimally Invasive Murine Laryngoscopy for Close-Up Imaging of Laryngeal Motion During Breathing and Swallowing
Published on: December 1, 2023
The laryngopharyngeal nerve: a comprehensive review
Stephen Shapiro1,2, Andrew L Parker3, Juan J Cardona2
1Department of Neurosurgery and Ochsner Neuroscience Institute, Ochsner Health System, New Orleans, LA, USA.
Abstract:
The laryngopharyngeal nerve has received much less attention that the other contributions to the pharyngeal plexus i.e., glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves. Often, in descriptions and depictions, the nerve is simply labeled as the sympathetic contribution to the pharyngeal plexus. As there is such scant information available regarding this nerve, the present review was performed. Very little is found in the extant medical literature regarding the laryngopharyngeal nerve. However, based on available data, the nerve is a consistent contributory to the pharyngeal plexus and serves other adjacent areas e.g., carotid body. Therefore, a better understanding of this structure's anatomy is important for those who operate in this area. Further studies are necessary to better elucidate the true function of the laryngopharyngeal nerve.
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