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Examination Links:

 

Cranial Nerve Assessment: IX. Glossopharyngeal
Examination type Neurological
Patient & Body Segment Positioning Patient needs to be in a comfortable position, either sitting or standing
Examiner Position The examiner needs to be anterior to (in front of) the patient
Performing the Test

Ask the patient to swallow.  Next, have the athlete say “ah” while the examiner depresses the tongue with a tongue depressor to produce a gag reflex.

Tissues Being Tested Cranial nerve IX. Glossopharyngeal nerve
Positive Test Lack of gag reflex of inability to swallow
Interpretation Intracranial involvement
Common errors in performing exam Sticking the tongue depressor too far back in the throat
Factors possibly resulting in misinterpretation Make sure that the athlete understands what you are doing when performing the test
Related tests Cranial nerve assessment
References Booher M. James. Athletic Injury Assessment. 4th edition. McGraw Higher Education 2000
Links:

http://www.meddean.luc.edu/lumen/MedEd/GrossAnatomy/h_n/cn/cn1/cn5.htm
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