Glossopharyngeal and Vagus Nerves

A 52-year-old man from Delhi presents to the emergency department with acute onset difficulty swallowing, hoarseness of voice, and nasal regurgitation of fluids. Examination reveals deviation of the soft palate to the left, absent gag reflex on the right side, and right-sided vocal cord paralysis in the paramedian position. His tongue movements are normal. Which nerve is most likely damaged?

A 58-year-old woman from Mumbai presents with a 3-week history of progressive difficulty swallowing solids and liquids, with sensation of food sticking in the throat. On examination, the soft palate is elevated symmetrically, gag reflex is intact bilaterally, and vocal cords are mobile. However, pharyngeal sensation is diminished on the right side, and she reports loss of taste on the right posterior 1/3 of the tongue. Cranial nerve examination is otherwise normal. Which nerve is most likely affected?

Which of the following muscles is innervated by the vagus nerve (CN X) and is responsible for elevating the soft palate during swallowing?

The glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX) carries preganglionic parasympathetic fibers that synapse in which ganglion to innervate the parotid gland?