The ninth cranial nerve, also known as the glossopharyngeal nerve, is one of twelve nerves in the human body. It is responsible for controlling the muscles in the back of the throat, as well as serving as a sensory pathway for taste and touch sensations from the tongue and throat. Although "ninth cranial nerve" is the most commonly used term, there are several synonyms that can be used to refer to this important nerve. These include the cranial nerve IX, the nervus glossopharyngeus, and the glossopharyngeal nerve. Understanding the various synonyms for the ninth cranial nerve can be helpful in medical and scientific contexts.