A patient with chronic tonsillitis complains of persistent earache although otoscopy is entirely normal. The referred pain from the tonsil reaches the ear via the tympanic branch of which nerve?

• A Facial nerve
• B Vagus nerve
• C Glossopharyngeal nerve ✓
• D Greater auricular nerve

Explanation

The tonsil is supplied by the glossopharyngeal nerve, whose tympanic branch (Jacobson's nerve) supplies the middle ear mucosa. Shared central representation explains referred otalgia from tonsillitis, quinsy, and even an elongated styloid process, all glossopharyngeal territories. The vagus contributes auricular sensation through Arnold's nerve, which accounts for referred ear pain from the larynx and is the key distinction from tonsillar pain.

Reference: Gray's Anatomy for Students, 4th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.