CHORDA TYMPANI Meaning and
Definition
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The chorda tympani is a sensory nerve that is a branch of the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII). It is responsible for carrying taste sensations from the anterior two-thirds of the tongue to the brain. The nerve fibers of the chorda tympani start in the taste buds on the surface of the tongue, where they collect taste information from different types of taste receptors. These receptors include those responsible for the detection of sweet, salty, bitter, sour, and umami tastes.
The chorda tympani exits from the skull through a small opening and passes through the middle ear, specifically the cavity known as the tympanic cavity. It then joins a larger nerve called the lingual nerve, which is part of the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V). Together, these nerves innervate the tongue and facilitate taste perception and the sense of touch in the tongue.
Damage or injury to the chorda tympani can lead to altered taste sensations, a condition known as taste disorders or dysgeusia. This can result in taste disturbances such as loss, reduction, or distortion of taste perception. Understanding the anatomy and function of the chorda tympani is crucial in diagnosing and managing taste-related conditions.
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Cord of the tympanum, see under nervus.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for CHORDA TYMPANI
- xhorda tympani
- vhorda tympani
- fhorda tympani
- dhorda tympani
- cgorda tympani
- cborda tympani
- cnorda tympani
- cjorda tympani
- cuorda tympani
- cyorda tympani
- chirda tympani
- chkrda tympani
- chlrda tympani
- chprda tympani
- ch0rda tympani
- ch9rda tympani
- choeda tympani
- chodda tympani
- chofda tympani
- chotda tympani
Etymology of CHORDA TYMPANI
The term "chorda tympani" is derived from Latin and Greek words.
The word "chorda" comes from Latin, which means "cord" or "string". In this context, it refers to a nerve that resembles a cord.
"Tympani" comes from the Latin word "tympanum", which means "drum". It refers to the eardrum, a structure located in the middle ear.
Therefore, "chorda tympani" can be translated as the "cord of the eardrum". It refers to a nerve branch that arises from the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) and travels through the middle ear, playing a role in taste sensation and parasympathetic innervation to the salivary glands.
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