week discussion

Discussion 1 Name: Institution: Date: Cranial nerves are part of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and the glossopharyngeal nerve affects the taste sensation in the posterior third of the tongue. The glossopharyngeal nerve is designated as Cranial Nerve IX, and it has SVE, GVE, GVA, SVA and GSA components (Siegel & Sapru, 2011). The nerve extends to both the pharynx and the tongue affecting the taste sensation through SVA fibers. The GVA fibers are typically found in the posterior third of the tongue. Similarly, the nerve affects swallowing as motor fibers affect how the pharynx functions during swallowing (Siegel & Sapru, 2011). The glossopharyngeal nerve also supplies the taste buds of the vallate papillae. Thus, in Ernie’s case there is impairment in the glossopharyngeal nerve s there is loss of taste, and at times this could extend to loss of sensation in the posterior third of the tongue. Vibrations travel to the inner ear through air conduct...