Tubal branch of tympanic nerve - Cranial nerves - Glossopharyngeal nerve [IX] - e-Anatomy
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Tubal branch of tympanic nerve

Ramus tubarius nervi tympanici

  • Related terms: Tubal branch

Definition

Tubal branch of tympanic nerve refers to a branch of the tympanic nerve inside the middle ear cavity. It innervates the eustachian tube (a.k.a. pharyngotympanic tube), including its bony wall, anterolateral cartilaginous surface and the underlining mucosa. However, it is not entirely clear if the tubal branch comes off directly from the tympanic nerve or sprouts from the tympanic plexus on the promontory of the middle ear cavity, or both.

Please note that the tympanic nerve is a branch of glossopharyngeal nerve, suggesting that the major innervation of eustachian tube comes from the glossopharyngeal nerve.

References

Text written by Muhammad A. Javaid, MD, PhD © 2022 IMAIOS.

  • Hirokawa, R.H., Scher, D.A. and Yanagisawa, E. (2001). Unusual cartilaginous lesion of the torus tubarius as a cause of otalgia. Ear, nose & throat journal, 80(3), pp.136-137.

  • Standring, S. and Gray, H. (2016). ‘Chapter 34: Pharynx’ in Gray’s anatomy The anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. (41st ed.) New York: Elsevier, pp. 575.

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